prelate

noun prel·ate \ ˈpre-lət also ˈprē-ˌlāt \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Definition of prelate

: an ecclesiastic (such as a bishop or abbot) of superior rank

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Recent Examples of prelate from the Web

After lunch, the production crew led a procession of pretend prelates, Swiss Guards, nuns and Vatican gendarmes under the arches of the Passetto di Borgo and across Via dei Corridori.

— New York Times, "‘Extra’ Cardinals Invade the Vatican (Blessings Not Included)," 9 May 2018
The moment was vintage Sullivan, a progressive prelate who has championed a variety of social and religious causes and embraced sometimes controversial views on important issues in the nation’s public discourse.

— jan hefler, Philly.com, "On immigration rights, gun control, and racial equality, Camden's bishop is a progressive voice for change," 27 Apr. 2018
Bishop Lei is one of several Catholic prelates who have been appointed by China’s state religious authorities without the blessing of the pope.

— The Economist, "The pope and China may be close to a deal on appointing bishops," 26 Apr. 2018
For years, Vatican prelates dismissed the accusations of Father Degollado’s victims as slander, but Bishop Scicluna listened to them and, after John Paul’s death, convinced the Vatican that Father Degollado had abused seminarians in his own order.

— jason horowitz, New York Times, "Pope Francis, After Criticism, Sends Sex Crimes Investigator to Chile," 30 Jan. 2018
Miller was named honorary prelate to Pope John Paul II on May 29, 1991.

— bonnie l. cook, Philly.com, "Msgr. John J. Miller, 80, St. Frances Cabrini pastor emeritus and liturgy expert," 8 Dec. 2017
And Vi Lyles released the endorsement of Bishop George Battle Jr., a leader of the the A.M.E. Zion Church and presiding prelate of the Piedmont Episcopal District.

— jim morrill, charlotteobserver, "Why are an Obama aide and a CNN commentator involved in Charlotte’s mayoral race?," 8 Sep. 2017
The Vatican has not commented publicly on the reports in French daily Le Monde and other lay and religious publications that Zerbo, Diarra and another Mali prelate opened the Swiss accounts starting in 2002.

— frances d'emilio, The Seattle Times, "Mali bishop pledges to make cardinal’s ceremony amid scandal," 27 June 2017
How many prelates stood up when an imam and his assistant were murdered in Queens, or when a mosque was burned in Florida?

— kansascity, kansascity.com, "Donald Trump is far from ‘Christian’," 3 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prelate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of prelate

Middle English prelat, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin praelatus, literally, one receiving preferment, from Latin (past participle of praeferre to prefer), from prae- + latus, past participle of ferre to carry — more at tolerate, bear

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First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined above

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