priest

noun

ˈprēst 

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

Synonyms of priest

• preacher
• cleric
• clergyman
• bishop
• minister
• deacon
• pastor
• reverend
• clerical

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 the foreground of the painting rises a lone umbrella pine; at its base are the tiny figures of a priest and a young girl. — News Desk, Artforum, 29 Sep. 2026

Trending Video At the time, Frederick and his husband, William, a priest, were living in church housing. — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2026

The aim is to atone for the Catholic Church's failure to protect its youngest and most vulnerable members from predator priests. — Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026

The second time, he was joined by the state highway patrolman who had issued the ticket and by a Catholic priest who had been on the road that night and testified that conditions had been treacherous. — Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English preist, from Old English prēost, ultimately from Late Latin presbyter — more at presbyter

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing priest

• high priest
• priest-ridden
• worker-priest

Rhymes for priest

• beast
• ceased
• creased
• east
• feast
• fleeced
• geest
• greased
• leased
• least
• pieced
• yeast

Kids Definition

priest

noun

ˈprēst 

: 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"