parishioner

noun

pa·​rish·​ion·​er pə-ˈri-sh(ə-)nər How to pronounce parishioner (audio)
: a member or inhabitant of a parish

Examples of parishioner in a Sentence

the parishioners of First Baptist Church
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
She and dozens of parishioners were buried in the cemetery beside the church. Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026 On Tuesday morning, volunteers — including Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido of the Diocese of San Diego — went inside the building hoping to accompany parishioner Fidel Sánchez and his family into the courtroom for his hearing. Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026 So far, leaders or parishioners from dozens of Connecticut churches have sent endorsement letters, and more are expected to testify in person at the hearing. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2026 Becoming the family of God centers on faith starting in parishioners’ homes and extending to their broader community and not allowing church to become a transactional experience. Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for parishioner

Word History

Etymology

Middle English parisshoner, probably modification of Anglo-French parochien, from paroche

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parishioner was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Parishioner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parishioner. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

parishioner

noun
pa·​rish·​io·​ner
pə-ˈrish-(ə-)nər
: a member or resident of a parish

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