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

His daughter, Olivia, even married Cleveland Benedict, who at one point became the rector of Christ Church, according to the Glendale Heritage Preservation's website. —Aaron Valdez, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Near the end of the service, the rector announced who the pope was — an American-born from Chicago. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025

Monsignor Walter Rossi, the rector of the basilica, released a statement mourning Francis’s death. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2025

In a recording of a FaceTime call shared by the Vatican in January, the Pope could be seen speaking to Fathers Gabriel Romanelli and Youssef Asaad, the rector and vice rector of the parish. —Solcyré Burga, Time, 21 Apr. 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