sexton

noun

sex·​ton ˈsek-stən 

: a church officer or employee who takes care of the church property and performs related minor duties (such as ringing the bell for services and digging graves)

Examples of sexton in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jennifer Benson is the sexton of the Hanover Cemetery in Sprague. — Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2026

Revere instructed church sexton Robert Newman to alert patriots across the river in Charlestown when British troops began to march. — Mike Deehan, Axios, 18 Feb. 2025

The pair grew up in Seminary, a historically Black community near the Virginia Theological Seminary, where their grandfather worked as a sexton. — Peter Jamison, Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2023

Jana Litman moves from her part-time position into the new role as the second full-time sexton. — Sam Boyer, cleveland, 16 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle English secresteyn, sexteyn, from Anglo-French segrestein, from Medieval Latin sacristanus — more at sacristan

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sexton

noun

sex·​ton ˈsek-stən 

: an official of a church who takes care of church buildings and property