priest
PREEST
Priest (noun) means a person trained and ordained to lead religious services and rites in a church or temple. Example: “The priest blessed the newlyweds at the altar.”
noun
1
A person trained and ordained to lead religious services and rites in a church or temple.
"The priest blessed the newlyweds at the altar."
"She confided in the priest during confession."
"The village priest visits the sick every Sunday afternoon."
verb
1
To ordain someone as a priest.
"He was priested in a ceremony at the cathedral."
"After years of study, she will be priested by the bishop next month."
"The bishop priests several young men at the cathedral each year."
How to use priest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA religious official who leads worship, performs rites like marriages and confessions, and represents a faith community.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a Catholic priest
ordained as a priest
the parish priest
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Word forms
- Plural
- priests
- Third person singular
- priests
- Past tense
- priested
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ blessed the newlyweds at the altar.
Etymology
From Old English prēost, itself from Late Latin presbyter, from Greek presbúteros meaning "elder."
Related words
Rhymes for priest
See all rhymes for priest →Frequently asked questions
What does “priest” mean?
The word “priest” means a person trained and ordained to lead religious services and rites in a church or temple. In plain terms, a religious official who leads worship, performs rites like marriages and confessions, and represents a faith community.
How do you pronounce “priest”?
“Priest” is pronounced PREEST (/ˈpɹiːst/ in IPA).
How do you use “priest” in a sentence?
Here is “priest” used in a sentence: “The priest blessed the newlyweds at the altar.”
What part of speech is “priest”?
Depending on how it is used, “priest” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “priest” come from?
The word “priest” comes from Late Latin. From Old English prēost, itself from Late Latin presbyter, from Greek presbúteros meaning "elder.".
Is “priest” a common word?
“Priest” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “priest” have?
“Priest” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person trained and ordained to lead religious services and rites in a church or temple.
What is the difference between a "priest" and a "pastor"?
A priest is a person trained and ordained to lead religious services and rites, a title common in Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches. "Pastor" is more often used in Protestant churches for the leader of a congregation. The roles overlap but reflect different traditions.
What is the difference between a "priest" and a "minister"?
A priest is ordained to lead worship and perform sacred rites, with an emphasis on administering sacraments. "Minister" is a broader term for a member of the clergy who leads a congregation, common in Protestant churches. Not every minister is called a priest.
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