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
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Grand Island in 1994 and served as vicar general and pastor of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary before his 2021 appointment to Colorado Springs, according to the archdiocese.
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Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
Chief among his many complaints was the Catholic Church’s sale of indulgences, which had become not only widespread but even mandatory for many priests, in order to generate funds to pay for the construction of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
This is a historic moment because the Church of England has only allowed women to become priests since 1994 and bishops since 2014.
—Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
The church ordained its first female priests in 1994 and its first female bishop in 2015.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for priest
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Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
Chief among his many complaints was the Catholic Church’s sale of indulgences, which had become not only widespread but even mandatory for many priests, in order to generate funds to pay for the construction of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
This is a historic moment because the Church of England has only allowed women to become priests since 1994 and bishops since 2014.
—Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
The church ordained its first female priests in 1994 and its first female bishop in 2015.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 25 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 31 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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