prefect
PREE-fehkt
Prefect (noun) means a senior school student given authority over younger pupils. Example: “As a prefect, she was responsible for keeping order in the lunch hall.”
noun
1
A senior school student given authority over younger pupils.
"As a prefect, she was responsible for keeping order in the lunch hall."
2
A senior government or administrative official in certain countries, often heading a region or department.
"The French prefect oversees local administration on behalf of the national government."
How to use prefect
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone given authority over others — a school leadership role in the UK, or a regional government official elsewhere.
UK vs US
The school-prefect sense is mostly a British/Commonwealth term; American schools rarely use this title.
Common pairings
head prefect
school prefect
regional prefect
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Word forms
- Plural
- prefects
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
As a _____, she was responsible for keeping order in the lunch hall.
Etymology
From Latin praefectus, \"one placed in charge,\" from praeficere, \"to put in charge of.\"
Rhymes for prefect
See all rhymes for prefect →Frequently asked questions
What does “prefect” mean?
The word “prefect” means a senior school student given authority over younger pupils. In plain terms, someone given authority over others — a school leadership role in the UK, or a regional government official elsewhere.
How do you pronounce “prefect”?
“Prefect” is pronounced PREE-fehkt (/ˈpɹiːfɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “prefect” in a sentence?
Here is “prefect” used in a sentence: “As a prefect, she was responsible for keeping order in the lunch hall.”
What part of speech is “prefect”?
“Prefect” is a noun.
Where does the word “prefect” come from?
The word “prefect” comes from Latin. From Latin praefectus, \"one placed in charge,\" from praeficere, \"to put in charge of.\".
Is “prefect” a common word?
“Prefect” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “prefect” have?
“Prefect” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a senior school student given authority over younger pupils.
