presbyter

noun

pres·​by·​ter ˈprez-bə-tər 

ˈpres-

1

: a member of the governing body of an early Christian church

2

: a member of the order of priests in churches having episcopal hierarchies that include bishops, priests, and deacons

3

: elder sense 4b

presbyterate

prez-ˈbi-tə-rət 

pres-

-ˌrāt

noun

Examples of presbyter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This would be the case also for an apostate, heretic, schismatic bishop, presbyter, or deacon. —Fr. Goran Jovicic, National Review, 13 June 2021

The Rev. Allen D. Timm, executive presbyter of the Presbytery Church in Detroit, said the church is waiting to hear from the general assembly as to when volunteers will be dispatched to Houston. —Allie Gross, Detroit Free Press, 29 Aug. 2017

Before coming to Birmingham, Webster had served 18 years as executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca in southern New Mexico. —Greg Garrison, AL.com, 19 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, elder, priest, from Greek presbyteros, comparative of presbys old man, elder; akin to Greek pro before and Greek bainein to go — more at for, come

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

presbyter

noun

pres·​by·​ter ˈprez-bət-ər 

ˈpres-

: a member of the governing body of an early Christian church