parish

noun

par·​ish ˈper-ish 

ˈpa-rish

1

a(1)

: the ecclesiastical unit of area committed to one pastor

(2)

: the residents of such an area

b

British : a subdivision of a county often coinciding with an original ecclesiastical parish and constituting the unit of local government

2

: a local church community composed of the members or constituents of a Protestant church

3

: a civil division of the state of Louisiana corresponding to a county in other states

Examples of parish in a Sentence

The parish will be getting a new priest soon.

The parish has grown significantly in the last three years.

Recent Examples on the Web

Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency on Thursday in six parishes, including Avoyelles and Pointe Coupee, to assist in providing resources for clean up efforts. —Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 19 June 2026

Mikešić is a member of the club, and has grown up in the parish and community. —Julianna Mejia, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026

The exhibit will be open until July 8 at various parishes in Orange County. —Lillian Ashworth, Oc Register, 18 June 2026

Beyond these trips to other nearby parishes, no one in Fergie’s family had traveled far from home. —Literary Hub, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English parisshe, from Anglo-French paroche, parosse, from Late Latin parochia, from Late Greek paroikia, from paroikos Christian, from Greek, stranger, from para- + oikos house — more at vicinity

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing parish

• inter-parish
• parish-pump

Kids Definition

parish

noun

par·​ish ˈpar-ish 

1

a

: a section of a church district in the care of a priest or minister

b

: the persons who live in and attend the church of such a section

2

: the members of a church

3

: a division of the state of Louisiana that is similar to a county in other states

Legal Definition

parish

noun

par·​ish ˈpar-ish 

: a civil division of the state of Louisiana corresponding to a county in other states