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
The prison’s priest, Father Joseph O’Brien (Isaacs), joins forces with Jim Estelle (Kitsch), head of the Texas Department of Corrections, by offering himself as a hostage to out-game Carrasco and his men, in an effort to save the lives of the other hostages that have been taken.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
The opening, with a speech by Mayor Cindy Darling, a red ribbon cutting and the blessing of a local priest, was considered to be one of the buzziest, new-restaurant openings in the city’s downtown for quite some time.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
During his presidency, the church modified its policy to prohibit transgender people from being baptized, working with children or serving as priests or teachers, per the AP.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
After reviewing those court records, anyone with an ounce of humanity would come away furious at the criminal cover-up perpetrated against innocent young children by priests.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priest
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Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
The opening, with a speech by Mayor Cindy Darling, a red ribbon cutting and the blessing of a local priest, was considered to be one of the buzziest, new-restaurant openings in the city’s downtown for quite some time.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
During his presidency, the church modified its policy to prohibit transgender people from being baptized, working with children or serving as priests or teachers, per the AP.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
After reviewing those court records, anyone with an ounce of humanity would come away furious at the criminal cover-up perpetrated against innocent young children by priests.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priest
Cite this Entry
“Priest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priest. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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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