clergyman

noun

cler·​gy·​man ˈklər-jē-mən How to pronounce clergyman (audio)
plural clergymen
: a member of the clergy

Examples of clergyman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The technique seen in the clergyman also hasn’t been reported in scientific literature before, Nerlich added. Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 2 May 2025 The clergymen’s colors signaled their rank, and a seating chart could reveal which dignitary or humble believer sat where. Alan Yuhas, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025 If clergymen are defrocked and lawyers are disbarred, then alcoholics are delivered, hairdressers are distressed, and pornographers are deluded. Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025 Kirchner had, a year earlier, backed sanctions for clergymen who publicly opposed the government’s human rights policies, including his decision to annul laws pardoning dictatorship-era atrocities. Federico Perelmuter, The Dial, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clergyman

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clergyman was in 1577

Cite this Entry

“Clergyman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clergyman. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

clergyman

noun
cler·​gy·​man ˈklər-ji-mən How to pronounce clergyman (audio)
: a member of the clergy

More from Merriam-Webster on clergyman

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