: an ecclesiastic (such as a bishop or abbot) of superior rank
Examples of prelate in a Sentence
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The Colombian prelate also recognised the call for the Church to move faster in tackling abuse.—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025 Debates and complaints between prelates have historically been handled behind the scenes in hopes of maintaining an image of cohesion despite obviously divergent mindsets.—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2025 The Reverend Leah Daughtry is national presiding prelate of The House of the Lord Churches, co-convenor of Power Rising, author, and political strategist, having served as chief of staff of the DNC, CEO of the 2008 and 2016 Democratic Conventions, and an at-large member of the DNC.—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025 However, Panorama magazine maintained that the NSA picked up the prelates’ telephone conversations in the days preceding the conclave, giving them an idea of what might happen before the first vote.—Time, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for prelate
Word History
Etymology
Middle English prelat, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin praelatus, literally, one receiving preferment, from Latin (past participle of praeferre to prefer), from prae- + latus, past participle of ferre to carry — more at tolerate, bear
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