parish
4 synonyms for parish, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A local church community and the district it serves.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use parish
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
local parish
parish council
parish church
Etymology
From Old French paroisse, from Late Latin parochia, ultimately from Greek paroikia, "a dwelling in a foreign land."
Full origin of parish →Frequently asked questions
What does “parish” mean?
The word “parish” means a local church community and the district it serves. In plain terms, a church community and its local area, or (in the UK and Louisiana) a small local government district.
How do you pronounce “parish”?
“Parish” is pronounced PA-rihsh (/ˈpæɹɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “parish” in a sentence?
Here is “parish” used in a sentence: “The new priest was welcomed warmly by the parish.”
What part of speech is “parish”?
“Parish” is a noun.
Where does the word “parish” come from?
The word “parish” comes from Late Latin. From Old French paroisse, from Late Latin parochia, ultimately from Greek paroikia, "a dwelling in a foreign land.".
Is “parish” a common word?
“Parish” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “parish” have?
“Parish” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a local church community and the district it serves.
What is the difference between a "parish" and a "diocese"?
A parish is a single local church community and the district it serves, usually led by a priest or vicar. A diocese is much larger and contains many parishes under the authority of a bishop.
Why are counties called "parishes" in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, "parish" is the term for the administrative district that most other US states call a county. The name reflects the area's historical church divisions, which later became civil districts.
What is the difference between a "parish" and a "congregation"?
A congregation is the group of people who gather to worship, while a parish is both that community and the geographical district it covers. Every parish has a congregation, but the parish also refers to the surrounding area and its members.
