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

The Interior Minister is Italy's top law enforcement official, charged with security for the Games, which is coordinated with regional prefects. —Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026

The Interior Minister is Italy’s top law enforcement official, charged with security for the Games, which is coordinated with regional prefects. —Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026

The Interior Minister is Italy’s top law enforcement officials, charged with security for the Games, which is coordinated with regional prefects. —Colleen Barry, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026

The deputy prefect indicated that gangs most commonly use parcel systems or send items through tourists with no criminal record. —Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025

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