deacon

noun

dea·con | \ ˈdē-kən

Definition of deacon

: a subordinate officer in a Christian church: such as

a : a Roman Catholic, Anglican, or Eastern Orthodox cleric ranking next below a priest

b : one of the laymen elected by a church with congregational polity to serve in worship, in pastoral care, and on administrative committees

c : a Mormon in the lowest grade of the Aaronic priesthood

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about deacon

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Examples of deacon in a Sentence

my cousin was married by his uncle, who is also a deacon in his church

Recent Examples on the Web

Up to 15 percent of its members are minority, and of the 165 active pastors and deacons, an estimated 30 are people of color, 28 are LGBTQIA, and 50 percent are women. — Kristin E. Holmes, Philly.com, "Lutheran minister from Philly overcame misgivings to make history as first black female bishop," 23 May 2018 The school will be reviewed by a three-member board: the church’s lead pastor Elijah Israel as president, Hurst’s husband, Jagade, an assistant pastor, as director and Oscar Rodgers, a church deacon, as treasurer. — Meredith Colias-pete, Post-Tribune, "New Christian school to move into former Grissom Elementary," 11 July 2018 The Archdiocese of Baltimore began testing a new policy in February that allows priests and deacons to request to marry a couple somewhere other than their parish church. — Julie Zauzmer, chicagotribune.com, "Catholics can get married outdoors in two places: In Montana, and now in Baltimore," 16 June 2018 Sitting in the chapel at St. Francis de Sales Seminary, the deacon is dressed in all black, except for a white clerical collar. — Clara Hatcher, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Father, son follow different paths, same calling to become Catholic priests," 30 Mar. 2018 Down Home’s graphic icon is of Herschel Thompson, Reeves’ late grandfather, a church deacon and a Walton County sharecropper. — Montana Couser, The Root, "Meet the 1st Black Brewers of Georgia," 25 June 2018 The Archdiocese of Baltimore began testing a new policy in February that allows priests and deacons to request to marry a couple somewhere other than their parish church. — Julie Zauzmer, chicagotribune.com, "Catholics can get married outdoors in two places: In Montana, and now in Baltimore," 16 June 2018 Considered a deformed monster from his birth, Quasimodo is entrusted to the care of Claude Frollo, the arch-deacon of the cathedral. — Theodore P. Mahne, NOLA.com, "JPAS 'Hunchback of Notre Dame' rings out with extravagance," 27 Feb. 2018 The Archdiocese of Baltimore began testing a new policy in February that allows priests and deacons to request to marry a couple somewhere other than their parish church. — Julie Zauzmer, chicagotribune.com, "Catholics can get married outdoors in two places: In Montana, and now in Baltimore," 16 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deacon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.