English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Uncommon

rector

REHK-tuh

Rector (noun) means a clergy member in charge of a parish, especially in the Anglican or Catholic Church. Example: “The rector welcomed new parishioners after the service.”

noun
1
A clergy member in charge of a parish, especially in the Anglican or Catholic Church.
"The rector welcomed new parishioners after the service."
2
The head of certain universities, colleges, or schools.
"She was elected rector of the university by the student body."

How to Use Rector

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a priest in charge of a parish, or the head of certain schools and universities.

Common pairings
parish rector university rector

Word Forms

rectors plural, Rectors plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “rector” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ welcomed new parishioners after the service.

Etymology

From Old French rectour, from Latin rector ("ruler, guide"), related to regere ("to rule, direct").

Origin: Latin

minister pastor curate parson minister of religion

Related Words

Rhymes for rector

See all rhymes for rector →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “rector” mean?

The word “rector” means a clergy member in charge of a parish, especially in the Anglican or Catholic Church. In plain terms, either a priest in charge of a parish, or the head of certain schools and universities.

How do you pronounce “rector”?

“Rector” is pronounced REHK-tuh (/ˈɹɛktɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “rector” in a sentence?

Here is “rector” used in a sentence: “The rector welcomed new parishioners after the service.”

What part of speech is “rector”?

“Rector” is a noun.

Where does the word “rector” come from?

The word “rector” comes from Latin. From Old French rectour, from Latin rector ("ruler, guide"), related to regere ("to rule, direct").

Is “rector” a common word?

“Rector” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “rector” have?

“Rector” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a clergy member in charge of a parish, especially in the Anglican or Catholic Church.

People Also Searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial