prefect

noun

pre·​fect ˈprē-ˌfekt 

1

: any of various high officials or magistrates of differing functions and ranks in ancient Rome

2

: a chief officer or chief magistrate

3

: a student monitor in a usually private school

Examples of prefect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mira is the top student at her elite school near the Himalayas, and she’s been named head prefect for the year, which is sort of like a student-council president with a lot more power and responsibilities (not to mention more spite directed at her from the other kids). —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2024

Preeti Panigrahi received a Special Jury Award for lead actor for her portrayal of book-smart Mira — the first female prefect in the school’s history. —Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2024

In the mid-1800s, Georges-Eugene Haussmann — Napoleon’s prefect of the Seine — helped usher in the city’s modern sewer system as part of an immense redevelopment effort that saw the leveling of thousands of old structures to make way for Paris’ trademark sweep of broad boulevards. —Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024

Last month, the Paris region prefect, Marc Guillaume, told Franceinfo radio that the cleaning plan was taking longer than expected due to unusually heavy rainfall in the spring, but organizers remained confident that Olympic athletes would be able to swim in the river. —Julen Chavin, CNN, 10 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praefectus, from past participle of praeficere to place at the head of, from prae- + facere to make — more at do

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prefect

• prefect apostolic

Kids Definition

prefect

noun

pre·​fect ˈprē-ˌfekt 

1

: a high official or judge (as of ancient Rome or France)

2

: a student assistant in some schools