priest

noun

ˈprēst 

plural priests

: someone who is authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God

specifically : an Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, or Roman Catholic clergyperson ranking below a bishop and above a deacon

Synonyms of priest

• preacher
• cleric
• clergyman
• bishop
• minister
• deacon
• pastor
• reverend
• clerical

Examples of priest in a Sentence

He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest.

searched for a priest who could perform an exorcism

Recent Examples on the Web

Each man for himself, while Emma and the town’s priest remain the only pillars of morality — a weight that drives the once-steady man of faith to his breaking point by mid-script to drive that hypocrisy home. —Holly Jones, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025

Some parishes and priests welcome trans Catholics into the fold, while others are not as accepting. —NPR, 12 Nov. 2025

Colin Farrell will portray a priest in action-thriller film Ordained, based on the upcoming comic book from publisher Bad Idea, sources confirmed to Deadline. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025

Farrell will star as Father Roy Craig, a priest who performs last rites on a mob boss who miraculously survives — but not before confessing his crimes to the father. —Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English preist, from Old English prēost, ultimately from Late Latin presbyter — more at presbyter

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing priest

• high priest
• priest-ridden
• worker-priest

Rhymes for priest

• beast
• ceased
• creased
• east
• feast
• fleeced
• geest
• greased
• leased
• least
• pieced
• yeast

Kids Definition

priest

noun

ˈprēst 

: a person who has the authority to lead or perform religious ceremonies

Etymology

Old English prēost "priest," derived from Latin presbyter "priest, elder," from Greek presbyteros, comparative form of presbys "old man, elder"