officiant

noun

of·​fi·​ci·​ant ə-ˈfi-shē-ənt How to pronounce officiant (audio)
: someone (such as a priest) who officiates at a religious rite

Examples of officiant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Online wedding officiants based in Europe and the United States are only beginning to make inroads in the Lebanese market. Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025 More than a year later, on Dec. 29, they wed on the front stoop of a Park Slope brownstone owned by Rabbi Yael Werber, a friend of the couple and the ceremony’s officiant. Shivani Vora, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025 Our officiant is one of our best friends, godmother to all of our children. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2025 Lee signs bill allowing officiants to decline to perform marriages Lee quietly signed into law a bill allowing officiants to decline to solemnize marriages for any reason, which has been criticized by the LGBTQ community as antagonistic. Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for officiant

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin officiant-, officians, present participle of officiāre "to perform a function, perform priestly duties" — more at officiate

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of officiant was in 1740

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Officiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/officiant. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Legal Definition

officiant

noun
of·​fi·​ci·​ant ə-ˈfi-shē-ənt How to pronounce officiant (audio)
: one who performs the official duties at a ceremony (as a wedding)
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