noun
sexton
SEHK-stuhn
Sexton (noun) means a church official who maintains the building and churchyard, and sometimes digs graves or rings bells. Example: “The old sexton had tended the graveyard for forty years.”
noun
1
A church official who maintains the building and churchyard, and sometimes digs graves or rings bells.
"The old sexton had tended the graveyard for forty years."
How to use sexton
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA caretaker for a church, its grounds, and often its graveyard.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- sextons
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old _____ had tended the graveyard for forty years.
Etymology
From Old French segrestien, from Medieval Latin sacristanus — a doublet of the word sacristan.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “sexton” mean?
The word “sexton” means a church official who maintains the building and churchyard, and sometimes digs graves or rings bells. In plain terms, a caretaker for a church, its grounds, and often its graveyard.
How do you pronounce “sexton”?
“Sexton” is pronounced SEHK-stuhn (/ˈsɛk.stən/ in IPA).
How do you use “sexton” in a sentence?
Here is “sexton” used in a sentence: “The old sexton had tended the graveyard for forty years.”
What part of speech is “sexton”?
“Sexton” is a noun.
Where does the word “sexton” come from?
The word “sexton” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French segrestien, from Medieval Latin sacristanus — a doublet of the word sacristan.
