presbyter
noun
pres·by·ter
ˈprez-bə-tər 
ˈpres-
1
: a member of the governing body of an early Christian church
2
: a member of the order of priests in churches having episcopal hierarchies that include bishops, priests, and deacons
3
Examples of presbyter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This would be the case also for an apostate, heretic, schismatic bishop, presbyter, or deacon.
—
Fr. Goran Jovicic, National Review, 13 June 2021
The Rev. Allen D. Timm, executive presbyter of the Presbytery Church in Detroit, said the church is waiting to hear from the general assembly as to when volunteers will be dispatched to Houston.
—Allie Gross, Detroit Free Press, 29 Aug. 2017
Before coming to Birmingham, Webster had served 18 years as executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca in southern New Mexico.
—Greg Garrison, AL.com, 19 July 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Fr. Goran Jovicic, National Review, 13 June 2021
The Rev. Allen D. Timm, executive presbyter of the Presbytery Church in Detroit, said the church is waiting to hear from the general assembly as to when volunteers will be dispatched to Houston.
—Allie Gross, Detroit Free Press, 29 Aug. 2017
Before coming to Birmingham, Webster had served 18 years as executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca in southern New Mexico.
—Greg Garrison, AL.com, 19 July 2017
Cite this Entry
“Presbyter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presbyter. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
presbyter
noun
pres·by·ter
ˈprez-bət-ər
ˈpres-
: a member of the governing body of an early Christian church
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share