parson

noun

par·​son ˈpär-sᵊn 

1

: rector

2

: clergyman

especially : a Protestant pastor

Examples of parson in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Writing in the eighteenth century, Smith compared energetic and often sensationalist Methodist preachers with the more reserved and cerebral parsons of the Church of England. —Shadi Hamid, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024

The other is her violent stepfather, who, in this version, is also the church’s parson (Steven Pasquale). —Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024

His living room included an antique Japanese screen hanging on a white wall above a leather banquette with pillow sable heads mounted on silver pedestals and a parsons table. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2023

The stranger asked to see Patrick, but after he was informed that the parson was ill in bed, the encounter took an unsettling turn. —V.m. Braganza, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English persone, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin persona, literally, person, from Latin

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

parson

noun

par·​son ˈpärs-ᵊn 

1

: a minister in charge of a parish

2

: a member of the clergy

especially : a Protestant pastor

Etymology

Middle English persone "parson," from early French persone (same meaning), from Latin persona, literally, "person"; so called because the parson was the legal "person" representing the church