Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

parnas

noun
par·​nas
variants: or parnass \ pärˈnäs , ˈ⸗ˌ⸗ \
plural parnasim or parnassim\ ˌ⸗ˌnäˈsēm , -​sim \

Definition of parnas

: the chief administrative officer of a Jewish congregation

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for parnas

Late Hebrew parnās manager

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about parnas

Statistics for parnas

Look-up Popularity

Comments on parnas

What made you want to look up parnas? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

speculate

Listen to the pronounciation of speculate

to form ideas or theories about something

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Farm Idioms Quiz

  • cow coming home
  • What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games