rector

noun

rec·​tor ˈrek-tər How to pronounce rector (audio)
1
: one that directs : leader
2
a
: a member of the clergy (as of the Protestant Episcopal Church) in charge of a parish
b
: an incumbent of a Church of England benefice in full possession of its rights
c
: a Roman Catholic priest directing a church with no pastor or one whose pastor has other duties
3
: the head of a university or school
rectorate noun
rectorial adjective
rectorship noun

Examples of rector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Fujimori returned to Peru and went into academia, serving as rector for the National Agrarian University in Lima from 1984-'89. Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2024 The rector of Bratislava’s Academy of Performing Arts, Martin Šmatlák, and the actress Jana Kovalčiková made speeches, while employees of Slovakia’s public broadcaster STVR were in attendance. George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2024 This is a cool white garden, the steps from the yard to the front door set off by dark yews, puffs of white snowberries and cow parsley in long grass, white-flowering hydrangea bushes, and a white rambling rector rose sprawling up the walls. Plum Sykes, Architectural Digest, 6 Aug. 2024 After two and a half weeks, Shalhoub-Kevorkian was summoned to a conversation with the university rector. Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 20 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for rector 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rector.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from regere to direct — more at right

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rector was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near rector

Cite this Entry

“Rector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rector. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

rector

noun
rec·​tor ˈrek-tər How to pronounce rector (audio)
1
: a member of the clergy who has charge of a church or parish
2
: the priest in charge of certain Roman Catholic religious houses
3
: the head of a university or school

More from Merriam-Webster on rector

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!