prefect

noun

pre·​fect ˈprē-ˌfekt 

1

: any of various high officials or magistrates of differing functions and ranks in ancient Rome

2

: a chief officer or chief magistrate

3

: a student monitor in a usually private school

Examples of prefect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nuñez reportedly met last week with Payan and the prefect of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, Jacques Witkowski, to work toward barring West from performing in Marseille. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026

According to those sources, Nuñez discussed canceling the Stade Vélodrome show with regional prefect Jacques Witkowski and Payan during a visit to Marseille last week. —Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026

Nuñez has met with regional officials, including the prefect of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Jacques Witkowski, and Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan, to discuss possible action. —Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2026

Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski connected the crowd calling for Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect, to set a murderer free instead of Jesus with today’s climate, where people are witnessing horrific acts and not always speaking up. —Alie Skowronski, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praefectus, from past participle of praeficere to place at the head of, from prae- + facere to make — more at do

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prefect

• prefect apostolic

Rhymes for prefect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• effect

Kids Definition

prefect

noun

pre·​fect ˈprē-ˌfekt 

1

: a high official or judge (as of ancient Rome or France)

2

: a student assistant in some schools