priest

noun

ˈprēst 

plural priests

: someone who is authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God

specifically : an Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, or Roman Catholic clergyperson ranking below a bishop and above a deacon

Synonyms

• preacher
• cleric
• clergyman
• bishop
• minister
• deacon
• pastor
• reverend
• clerical

Examples of priest in a Sentence

He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest.

searched for a priest who could perform an exorcism

Recent Examples on the Web

The priest’s denunciations of violence against the New World’s darker people perfected a polemical style based not on revelation or appeals to authority but the power of personal witness. —Greg Grandin september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025

Prior to becoming a priest, Storey spent several years as a funeral director in Louisburg, Kansas. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025

In one corner, priests held a mass. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 21 Sep. 2025

Most of all, reason was no replacement for the religion—Roman Catholicism—that the Revolution had downgraded and in many cases tried to eliminate through the mass murder of priests and the destruction of churches. —Paul Kingsnorth, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English preist, from Old English prēost, ultimately from Late Latin presbyter — more at presbyter

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing priest

• high priest
• priest-ridden
• worker-priest

Rhymes for priest

• beast
• ceased
• creased
• east
• feast
• fleeced
• geest
• greased
• leased
• least
• pieced
• yeast

Kids Definition

priest

noun

ˈprēst 

: a person who has the authority to lead or perform religious ceremonies

Etymology

Old English prēost "priest," derived from Latin presbyter "priest, elder," from Greek presbyteros, comparative form of presbys "old man, elder"