celebrant

noun

cel·​e·​brant ˈse-lə-brənt How to pronounce celebrant (audio)
: one who celebrates
specifically : the priest officiating at the Eucharist

Examples of celebrant in a Sentence

The bishop will be the main celebrant. the celebrant of the service The celebrants lit their candles.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Reports of a multiday, multimillion-dollar affair — is expected to draw hundreds of celebrants to a fragile lagoon city already grappling with overtourism — sparked concerns in Italy. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 23 June 2025 They weren’t needed for this diverse group of mostly Catholic celebrants. Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025 Some believe that early celebrants simply worked with easily accessible and in-season ingredients that happened to be red: watermelon, strawberries, beans and fried or smoked meats. Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025 According to the bride, the wedding celebrant told the guests multiple times ahead of the nuptials that phones had to be put away per the couple's request. Erin Clack, People.com, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for celebrant

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin celebrant-, celebrans, present participle of celebrāre "to throng, frequent, observe (an occasion, festivity), praise" — more at celebrate

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of celebrant was in 1624

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Celebrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celebrant. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

celebrant

noun
cel·​e·​brant ˈsel-ə-brənt How to pronounce celebrant (audio)
: a person who celebrates
especially : the priest who is celebrating Mass

More from Merriam-Webster on celebrant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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