1
a(1)
: the ecclesiastical unit of area committed to one pastor
(2)
: the residents of such an area
b
British
: a subdivision of a county often coinciding with an original ecclesiastical parish and constituting the unit of local government
2
: a local church community composed of the members or constituents of a Protestant church
3
: a civil division of the state of Louisiana corresponding to a county in other states
Examples of parish in a Sentence
The parish will be getting a new priest soon.
The parish has grown significantly in the last three years.
Recent Examples on the Web
On Monday, the women of a parish caught local men, tie them up, demanding a ransom for their release.
—
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 27 Mar. 2025
Peter & Paul leaders and Zervos with muddying the legal waters to improperly retain control of their parish in defiance of hierarchical authority.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Murrill’s office took over all pending charges against Colbert this week after district courts from multiple parishes in Louisiana became involved in her case.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2025
Every dollar entrusted to this parish has been used to support its mission — helping the poor, the homeless, the addicted, and those in need.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parish
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The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 27 Mar. 2025
Peter & Paul leaders and Zervos with muddying the legal waters to improperly retain control of their parish in defiance of hierarchical authority.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Murrill’s office took over all pending charges against Colbert this week after district courts from multiple parishes in Louisiana became involved in her case.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2025
Every dollar entrusted to this parish has been used to support its mission — helping the poor, the homeless, the addicted, and those in need.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parish
Cite this Entry
“Parish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parish. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
parish
noun
par·ish
ˈpar-ish 
1
a
: a section of a church district in the care of a priest or minister
b
: the persons who live in and attend the church of such a section
2
: the members of a church
3
: a division of the state of Louisiana that is similar to a county in other states
Legal Definition
parish
noun
par·ish
ˈpar-ish
: a civil division of the state of Louisiana corresponding to a county in other states
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