parish

noun

par·​ish ˈper-ish 

ˈpa-rish

1

a(1)

: the ecclesiastical unit of area committed to one pastor

(2)

: the residents of such an area

b

British : a subdivision of a county often coinciding with an original ecclesiastical parish and constituting the unit of local government

2

: a local church community composed of the members or constituents of a Protestant church

3

: a civil division of the state of Louisiana corresponding to a county in other states

Examples of parish in a Sentence

The parish will be getting a new priest soon.

The parish has grown significantly in the last three years.

Recent Examples on the Web

That means some of the most consequential decisions are still ahead, including which church sites will continue to hold Sunday Mass and exactly how parishes will be grouped going forward. — Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

The plaintiff in the lawsuit was a parishioner at Seven Dolors in Manhattan and later worked for that parish and the Diocese of Salina, her lawsuit says. — Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

One Chicago priest dying from cancer was denied a funeral mass at her longtime parish. — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Catholic teaching still calls suicide a grave sin, but recognizes mental illness can diminish responsibility; advocates want mental health ministries in parishes worldwide. — Luis Andres Henao, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English parisshe, from Anglo-French paroche, parosse, from Late Latin parochia, from Late Greek paroikia, from paroikos Christian, from Greek, stranger, from para- + oikos house — more at vicinity

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing parish

• inter-parish
• parish-pump

Kids Definition

parish

noun

par·​ish ˈpar-ish 

1

a

: a section of a church district in the care of a priest or minister

b

: the persons who live in and attend the church of such a section

2

: the members of a church

3

: a division of the state of Louisiana that is similar to a county in other states

Legal Definition

parish

noun

par·​ish ˈpar-ish 

: a civil division of the state of Louisiana corresponding to a county in other states