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

• clergyperson
• cleric
• clerical
• clerk
• deacon
• divine
• dominie
• ecclesiastic
• minister
• preacher
• reverend

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

James Weiss, an Episcopal priest and professor of church history at Boston College. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 4 May 2025

The skeleton showed no major signs of stress, which fits with the lifestyle of a priest who would have performed little to no physical work. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025

Her husband escaped from the camp, and a priest hid him in a church, part of an underground movement of South Vietnamese people. —Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 30 Apr. 2025

Pope Francis was ordained a priest in December 1969. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 28 Apr. 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"