rector

noun

rec·​tor ˈrek-tər 

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

ˈrek-t(ə-)rət 

noun

rectorial

rek-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

rectorship

ˈrek-tər-ˌship 

noun

Examples of rector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When the university rector, church historian Karl Heussi, opposed Frick’s request, the students’ association, already dominated by National Socialist sympathizers, rebelled. —Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025

In an eight-page letter, Rachel Sheridan, the school’s rector, said there were no assurances from the federal government its scrutiny of the university would end with Ryan’s resignation. —Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 14 Nov. 2025

As for the rector’s other housemates – a pair of scene-stealing dachshunds – Lewis is happily resigned to being upstaged. —Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025

More than two dozen UVA Health leaders signed a letter to the university's rector and interim president, asking them to give Rosner the permanent position, the organization said in a news release. —Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for rector

• hector
• lector
• nectar
• sector
• specter
• spectre
• vector
• bisector
• collector
• connector
• corrector
• defector

Kids Definition

rector

noun

rec·​tor ˈrek-tər 

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