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

The organization was founded in 1974 by George Doub, who had been Alvarado’s parish priest at Most Holy Trinity Church in East San Jose. —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 23 May 2026

For a macabre detour from all the warm Mediterranean charm, go down to the underground tomb of Chiesa di San Nicolò, where mummified priests line the crypt walls. —Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2026

Galizia only knew one of the other subjects, a French man who also was not a priest. —ABC News, 20 May 2026

The calendar was intended as art, not deception Galizia sees the photographs depicting priests as part of an artistic tradition, noting that no one watching a TV drama involving priests believes they are actually played by clergy. —Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026

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"