dean

noun

\ ˈdēn

Definition of dean

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : the head of the chapter of a collegiate or cathedral church

b : a Roman Catholic priest who supervises one district of a diocese

2a : the head of a division, faculty, college, or school of a university

b : a college or secondary school administrator in charge of counseling and disciplining students

3 : doyen sense 1

Dean

biographical name

\ ˈdēn

Definition of Dean (Entry 2 of 2)

Sir Patrick 1909–1994 British diplomat

Other Words from dean Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about dean

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Synonyms & Antonyms for dean

Synonyms: Noun

doyen, elder, elder statesman, éminence grise, nestor, senior

Antonyms: Noun

baby, junior

Examples of dean in a Sentence

Noun

She's the dean of the university's business school. the dean of liberal arts

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Cathy Davenport, Dickinson’s dean of admissions, said such information is part of a holistic admissions review. — Douglas Belkin, WSJ, "The Data Colleges Collect on Applicants," 26 Jan. 2019 Your white professors might not understand your struggle and might penalize you for things out of your control. Don’t hesitate to bring things up with the dean’s office and to go beyond them if necessary. — Cody Charles, Teen Vogue, "College Advice for Students of Marginalized Identities," 21 Nov. 2018 Michael Brzezinski, Purdue’s dean of international programs, said in an email. — Collin Binkley, The Seattle Times, "US colleges attracting fewer new students from abroad," 13 Nov. 2018 Even if diabetic retinopathy has progressed into DME, sometimes it’s possible to stop or even reverse the resulting vision loss, Jeffrey Walline, O.D., Ph.D., associate dean for research at the Ohio State University College of Optometry, tells SELF. — Korin Miller, SELF, "This Is How Diabetes Can Affect Your Eyes," 8 Nov. 2018 Paul Bender, an Arizona State University law professor and dean emeritus for the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, said the memos were unworthy of serious consideration. — Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, azcentral, "Joe Arpaio asks AG Jeff Sessions to investigate his 2016 defeat in sheriff's race," 21 June 2018 JoAnn Trejo is the university’s associate dean for health sciences faculty affairs and a professor of pharmacology. — Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego science reaches top tier in new global survey," 7 June 2018 Nikias, 65, who became the university’s president in 2010, had recently come under fire amid a string of scandals, including a report from the Los Angeles Times in July about how a USC medical school dean used drugs and partied with prostitutes. — USA TODAY, "USC president to step down amid scandal involving university gynecologist," 25 May 2018 During Warren’s interview with 11 Alive, she was approached by Spelman’s dean of college relations, who told her that a letter addressing the hateful notes was sent out to students. — Anne Branigin, The Root, "Spelman Student Says She and Her Trans Partner Were Targeted With Hate Speech on Campus: Report," 27 Apr. 2018

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