: an ecclesiastic (such as a bishop or abbot) of superior rank
Examples of prelate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, Panorama magazine maintained that the NSA picked up the prelates’ telephone conversations in the days preceding the conclave, giving them an idea of what might happen before the first vote.
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Time, 7 May 2025
Parolin is an Italian prelate and one of the highest-ranking officials in the Roman Catholic Church.
—Hannah Parry
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
One of them was even circulated among his peers by Dolan, the US cardinal, despite church laws that say prelates must not publicly discuss possible papal candidates.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
In the first half of the 20th Century, European powers commonly worked to influence the conclave ballots through their prelates and ambassadors.
—Time, 7 May 2025
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Time, 7 May 2025
Parolin is an Italian prelate and one of the highest-ranking officials in the Roman Catholic Church.
—Hannah Parry
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
One of them was even circulated among his peers by Dolan, the US cardinal, despite church laws that say prelates must not publicly discuss possible papal candidates.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
In the first half of the 20th Century, European powers commonly worked to influence the conclave ballots through their prelates and ambassadors.
—Time, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelate
Cite this Entry
“Prelate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prelate. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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prelate
noun
prel·ate
ˈprel-ət 
: a high-ranking member of the clergy (as a bishop)
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