deacon

noun

dea·​con ˈdē-kən 

plural deacons

: a subordinate officer in a Christian church: such as

a

: a Roman Catholic, Anglican, or Eastern Orthodox cleric ranking next below a priest

b

: one of the laity elected by a church with congregational polity to serve in worship, in pastoral care, and on administrative committees

c

: a Mormon in the lowest grade of the Aaronic priesthood

Synonyms

• clergyperson
• cleric
• clerical
• clerk
• divine
• dominie
• ecclesiastic
• minister
• preacher
• priest
• reverend

Examples of deacon in a Sentence

my cousin was married by his uncle, who is also a deacon in his church

Recent Examples on the Web

Like many Black artists, going to church was routine for her family and played a significant role in her life, with her parents being a deacon and deaconess. —Danielle Wright, Essence, 27 Sep. 2024

Religion Beshear is a deacon at the Beargrass Christian Church in Louisville. —Audrey Baker, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 July 2024

Dad was an altar boy at Parumala; his father, who is buried there along with my grandmother, was a deacon. —Abraham Verghese, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2024

The family are frequent visitors of Beargrass Christian Church, where both Beshear and his wife serve as deacons. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 22 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dekene, from Old English dēacon, from Late Latin diaconus, from Greek diakonos, literally, servant, from dia- + -konos (akin to enkonein to be active); perhaps akin to Latin conari to attempt

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing deacon

• deacon's bench

Kids Definition

deacon

noun

dea·​con ˈdē-kən 

1

: a member of the Christian clergy next below a priest

2

: a church member in various Christian churches who has special duties