plural priests
: someone who is authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God
specifically
: an Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, or Roman Catholic clergyperson ranking below a bishop and above a deacon
Examples of priest in a Sentence
He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest.
searched for a priest who could perform an exorcism
Recent Examples on the Web
In January, 31 priests submitted a dubia — or formal request for clarification — to the Vatican.
—
Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026
Marcos’s commanders, confronted with throngs of nuns, priests and ordinary civilians pleading, weeping and kneeling in prayer, refused orders to open fire and clear the streets, and Marcos subsequently fled to exile in Hawaii.
—Keith B. Richburg, Washington Post, 25 Feb. 2026
When Zephir later told the priest that Jackson had reached out directly to the vice president of the United States, Jean-Juste laughed in disbelief.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
The tradition was brought to Pernambuco by a Belgian priest, who inspired a young man in the city of Belem do São Francisco, who told of how the larger-than-life-sized dolls were used in festivals across Europe.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for priest
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Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026
Marcos’s commanders, confronted with throngs of nuns, priests and ordinary civilians pleading, weeping and kneeling in prayer, refused orders to open fire and clear the streets, and Marcos subsequently fled to exile in Hawaii.
—Keith B. Richburg, Washington Post, 25 Feb. 2026
When Zephir later told the priest that Jackson had reached out directly to the vice president of the United States, Jean-Juste laughed in disbelief.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
The tradition was brought to Pernambuco by a Belgian priest, who inspired a young man in the city of Belem do São Francisco, who told of how the larger-than-life-sized dolls were used in festivals across Europe.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for priest
Cite this Entry
“Priest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priest. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
priest
noun
: a person who has the authority to lead or perform religious ceremonies
Etymology
Old English prēost "priest," derived from Latin presbyter "priest, elder," from Greek presbyteros, comparative form of presbys "old man, elder"
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