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
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
Ultimately, the pharaoh’s prescient spiritual optimism comes in conflict with the all-powerful establishment priests, who kill Akhnaten and Nefertiti.
—
Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
The report then stressed the need for the diocese to abandon the practice of requiring victims to take polygraph tests and to stop refusing to investigate third-party complaints about priests.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
On Tuesday, more than 200 priests gathered to discuss the future of a diocese that once called more than 1 million local Catholics parishioners.
—Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Today, the basilica remains a sought-after wedding venue, with the parish hosting as many as eight ceremonies a day, according to the church's priest.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for priest
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Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
The report then stressed the need for the diocese to abandon the practice of requiring victims to take polygraph tests and to stop refusing to investigate third-party complaints about priests.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
On Tuesday, more than 200 priests gathered to discuss the future of a diocese that once called more than 1 million local Catholics parishioners.
—Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Today, the basilica remains a sought-after wedding venue, with the parish hosting as many as eight ceremonies a day, according to the church's priest.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for priest
Cite this Entry
“Priest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priest. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
priest
noun
: 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"
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