rector

noun

rec·​tor ˈrek-tər 

1

: one that directs : leader

2

a

: a member of the clergy (as of the Protestant Episcopal Church) in charge of a parish

b

: an incumbent of a Church of England benefice in full possession of its rights

c

: a Roman Catholic priest directing a church with no pastor or one whose pastor has other duties

3

: the head of a university or school

rectorate

ˈrek-t(ə-)rət 

noun

rectorial

rek-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

rectorship

ˈrek-tər-ˌship 

noun

Examples of rector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Even as book collectors have, over the centuries, shifted shape from rectors to hedge-fund managers, they have remained driven by an impulse that is both febrile and fastidious. —Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024

Fujimori returned to Peru and went into academia, serving as rector for the National Agrarian University in Lima from 1984-'89. —Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2024

The rector of Bratislava’s Academy of Performing Arts, Martin Šmatlák, and the actress Jana Kovalčiková made speeches, while employees of Slovakia’s public broadcaster STVR were in attendance. —George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2024

This is a cool white garden, the steps from the yard to the front door set off by dark yews, puffs of white snowberries and cow parsley in long grass, white-flowering hydrangea bushes, and a white rambling rector rose sprawling up the walls. —Plum Sykes, Architectural Digest, 6 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from regere to direct — more at right

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rector

noun

rec·​tor ˈrek-tər 

1

: a member of the clergy who has charge of a church or parish

2

: the priest in charge of certain Roman Catholic religious houses

3

: the head of a university or school