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

Francis made Brambilla’s appointment possible with his 2022 reform of the Holy See’s founding constitution, which allowed laypeople, including women, to head a dicastery and become prefects. —Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025

While women have been named to No. 2 spots in some Vatican offices, never before has a woman been named prefect of a dicastery or congregation of the Holy See Curia, the central governing organ of the Catholic Church. —Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025

Sister Brambilla is the first prefect of a department of the Roman Curia, as the central administration of the church is known. —Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025

Nevertheless, Brambilla's designation as prefect signifies the Vatican's trust in her leadership abilities. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025

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