deacon

noun

dea·​con ˈdē-kən 

plural deacons

: 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 laity elected by a church with congregational polity to serve in worship, in pastoral care, and on administrative committees

c

: a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the lowest grade of the Aaronic priesthood

Synonyms of deacon

• priest
• preacher
• bishop
• clergyman
• pastor

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

His comfortable life as a deacon’s son was disrupted at the age of 16 when he was captured and enslaved by Irish raiders, spending the next years as a shepherd on a remote, often freezing hillside. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026

Two thousand people are expected to attend, including numerous religious figures such as bishops, priests and deacons. —Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026

Early Christians cited menstruation as the reason for not allowing female deacons or priests. —Megan Bryson, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026

David was a doctor at the hospital and a deacon at his church. —Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing deacon

• deacon's bench

Rhymes for deacon

• beacon
• weaken
• archdeacon
• mohican

Kids Definition

deacon

noun

dea·​con ˈdē-kən 

1

: a member of the Christian clergy next below a priest

2

: a church member in various Christian churches who has special duties