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
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
On Friday, May 3, 1337, Anglican priest John Forde began a walk along downtown London’s Cheapside street after vespers (evening prayers) shortly before sunset.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 June 2025
But as the abuse scandal spread globally during Francis’ 12-year pontificate, the commission lost its influence and its crowning recommendation — the creation of a tribunal to judge bishops who covered up for predator priests — went nowhere.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
That’s despite the full commitment of Dan Stevens as real-life priest Joseph Steiger.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
But as the abuse scandal spread globally during Francis’ 12-year pontificate, the commission lost its influence its crowning recommendation — the creation of a tribunal to judge bishops who covered up for predator priests — went nowhere.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for priest
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 June 2025
But as the abuse scandal spread globally during Francis’ 12-year pontificate, the commission lost its influence and its crowning recommendation — the creation of a tribunal to judge bishops who covered up for predator priests — went nowhere.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
That’s despite the full commitment of Dan Stevens as real-life priest Joseph Steiger.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
But as the abuse scandal spread globally during Francis’ 12-year pontificate, the commission lost its influence its crowning recommendation — the creation of a tribunal to judge bishops who covered up for predator priests — went nowhere.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for priest
Cite this Entry
“Priest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priest. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
priest
noun
: 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"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share