deacon

noun dea·con \ ˈdē-kən \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

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

See deacon defined for English-language learners

See deacon defined for kids

Examples of deacon in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of deacon from the Web

That horrifies Miguel Pons, one of two deacons at the chapel at the Colón cemetery in Havana.

— The Economist, "Cuba’s funerals: cheap and especially uncheerful," 28 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, ajc, "Why there are only two places where Catholics can get married outdoors," 11 June 2018
Less than two years ago, a Republican governor who had been a Baptist deacon proposed a referendum on setting up a lottery, and even called a special session of the Legislature, but the effort stalled.

— alan blinder, The Seattle Times, "Alabama’s longtime hostility to gambling shows signs of fading," 10 June 2018
McNicholas became a transitional deacon, signifying he’s one year away from priesthood.

— carole carlson, Post-Tribune, "Diocese of Gary gains new priest, deacon," 2 June 2018
Two seminarians with local ties, Tyler Kline and Matthew DeFusco, are on their way to the path to Catholic priesthood, as they were both ordained as deacons at the Basilica of the Assumption on May 26.

— melissa whatley, baltimoresun.com, "Recent Dulaney High grad recognized as student-athlete with a scholarship," 13 June 2018
Winfrey’s mother, Vernita Lee, worked as a domestic servant in Milwaukee, where Winfrey attended integrated schools and also in Nashville, where her father, Vernon Winfrey, was a businessman and a church deacon.

— allison keyes, Smithsonian, "Oprah’s Undeniable Influence on American History Recognized in New Smithsonian Exhibition," 8 June 2018
My grandfather was a pastor, my grandmother was a church organist, my mother was a choir director, and my dad was a deacon and taught Sunday school and played the drums at the church.

— cory booker, Town & Country, "John Legend's Fight for Criminal Justice Reform," 9 May 2017
McNicholas will spend the next year as a deacon at St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville, officials said.

— carole carlson, Post-Tribune, "Diocese of Gary gains new priest, deacon," 2 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.

Origin and Etymology of deacon

Middle English dekene, from Old English dēacon, from Late Latin diaconus, from Greek diakonos, literally, servant, from dia- + -konos (akin to enkonein to be active); perhaps akin to Latin conari to attempt

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year