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
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After his party’s election victory in Uttar Pradesh, Mr Modi appointed as its chief minister a saffron-robed priest, Yogi Adityanath, who sponsors a right-wing Hindu youth movement.
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As archbishop of Indianapolis, Cardinal Tobin won praise from his priests for his willingness to delve into the details of parish management.
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Among them are a prominent Buddhist priest and a judge.
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In the euphoria following the BJP’s election victory in India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, the new state government -- run by a Hindu priest -- eagerly turned on the money taps for a huge loan waiver for the state’s farmers.
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Nirupama Srinivasa Rao and Matthew Gordon Landy were married July 1 by Jnanamoorthy Bhat, a Hindu priest, at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point, Calif.
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The problem was that none of the other priests in Juárez wanted to work at the migrant shelter, so the bishop required him to stay.
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Lincoln said that at its peak in the 1920s or 30s the Friary housed as many as 15 priests and eight brothers.
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A former Jesuit priest who left the order to marry and have children, McGirr is a man of letters who has a wild and woolly way with his erudition.
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.
Origin and Etymology of priest
Middle English preist, from Old English prēost, ultimately from Late Latin presbyter — more at presbyter
Other Christian Religious Terms
PRIEST Defined for English Language Learners
priest
playDefinition of priest for English Language Learners
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: a person who has the authority to lead or perform ceremonies in some religions and especially in some Christian religions
PRIEST Defined for Kids
priest
playDefinition of priest for Students
: a person who has the authority to lead or perform religious ceremonies
Learn More about priest
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See words that rhyme with priest Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for priest Spanish Central: Translation of priest Nglish: Translation of priest for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of priest for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about priest
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