priest

noun \ ˈprēst \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of priest

: one 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 clergyman ranking below a bishop and above a deacon

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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 of priest from the Web

Fifteen years ago, a Miami jeweler named Hugo Quesada stabbed his estranged wife and her stepfather to death in a row over his attempt to become a priest in the Afro-Cuban Santería religion.

— david ovalle, miamiherald, "Santeria, a fugitive killer and a corpse missed by cops. The story ends in prison | Miami Herald," 17 Apr. 2018
In a fog of tear gas, a priest in the capital drags a woman to safety after she was shot.

— robyn dixon, latimes.com, "Violence is roiling the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some human rights authorities suggest it's a strategy to keep the president in power," 12 Apr. 2018
In turn, Laurie from the pizza parlor goes for solace to the church, where Jane the priest works so hard to do her job, despite her love of Linh the witness.

— josephine livingstone, The New Republic, ""Collateral," a new police procedural on Netflix, broods over the refugee crisis.," 3 Apr. 2018
Also on Thursday, officials issued a public plea for help in solving the crime, the first murder of a priest in Wisconsin since 1985.

— amy rinard, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Fr. Alfred Kunz bled to death; 30 investigators in Dane handle tips, check robbery theory," 2 Mar. 2018
Barros has been rejected by many faithful and priests in southern Osorno, Chile, ever since Francis appointed him in 2015.

— nicole winfield, The Seattle Times, "Pope backs down, OKs resignation of divisive Nigerian bishop," 19 Feb. 2018
The Barros affair first caused shockwaves in January 2015 when Francis appointed him bishop of Osorno, Chile, over the objections of the leadership of Chile’s bishops’ conference and many local priests and laity.

— nicole winfield and eva vergara, USA TODAY, "AP Exclusive: Despite denial, Pope got abuse victim’s letter," 5 Feb. 2018
The Barros affair first caused shockwaves in January 2015 when Francis appointed him bishop of Osorno, Chile, over the objections of the leadership of Chile’s bishops’ conference and many local priests and laity.

— Time, "Pope Francis' Advisors Say He Knew About Sexual Abuse by a Chilean Reverend," 5 Feb. 2018
Set in the Bronx in the 1960s, this Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning play centers around the drama between a conservative nun and a progressive priest in a Catholic school.

— cleveland.com, "10 things to do in Akron and Summit County Feb. 5-11," 5 Feb. 2018

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