adj
Uncommon
presbyterian
prehz-bih-TEERR-ih-uhn
Presbyterian (adj) means relating to a form of church government run by elected elders (presbyters) rather than bishops. Example: “The presbyterian model gives more authority to lay elders than a bishop-led church does.”
adj
1
Relating to a form of church government run by elected elders (presbyters) rather than bishops.
"The presbyterian model gives more authority to lay elders than a bishop-led church does."
noun
1
A member of a church that follows this elder-led form of government, especially in the Presbyterian tradition.
"Her grandparents were lifelong Presbyterians."
How to use presbyterian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a Christian church tradition governed by elected elders instead of bishops.
UK vs US
Usually capitalized ("Presbyterian") when referring to the specific denomination.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more presbyterian
- Superlative
- most presbyterian
Fill the gap
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The _____ model gives more authority to lay elders than a bishop-led church does.
Etymology
From "presbyter" (an elder in the early church), from Greek presbyteros, "older man."
Rhymes for presbyterian
See all rhymes for presbyterian →Frequently asked questions
What does “presbyterian” mean?
The word “presbyterian” means relating to a form of church government run by elected elders (presbyters) rather than bishops. In plain terms, describes a Christian church tradition governed by elected elders instead of bishops.
How do you pronounce “presbyterian”?
“Presbyterian” is pronounced prehz-bih-TEERR-ih-uhn (/ˌpɹɛz.bɪˈtɪɹ.i.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “presbyterian” in a sentence?
Here is “presbyterian” used in a sentence: “The presbyterian model gives more authority to lay elders than a bishop-led church does.”
What part of speech is “presbyterian”?
Depending on how it is used, “presbyterian” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “presbyterian” come from?
The word “presbyterian” comes from Greek. From "presbyter" (an elder in the early church), from Greek presbyteros, "older man.".
Is “presbyterian” a common word?
“Presbyterian” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “presbyterian” have?
“Presbyterian” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to a form of church government run by elected elders (presbyters) rather than bishops.
What is the difference between Presbyterian and Catholic church governance?
Presbyterian refers to a form of church government run by elected elders, called presbyters, rather than bishops. Catholic church governance, by contrast, is hierarchical and centers on bishops and the Pope, which is the key structural difference between the two systems.
What does "presbyterian" mean when used as an adjective?
As an adjective, presbyterian describes anything relating to a form of church government run by elected elders rather than bishops. It is often capitalized as 'Presbyterian' when referring specifically to churches in the Presbyterian tradition.
Who is considered a Presbyterian?
A Presbyterian is a member of a church that follows an elder-led form of government, especially within the Presbyterian tradition. Membership centers on belonging to a congregation governed by elected elders rather than bishops.
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