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

Mayall was also a rector for Holy Name Cathedral beginning in January 2002. —Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025

There will be an Anglican funeral service at Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville, Va at 11:00 am on December 21, 2024, officiated by her pastor, The Rev. Jonathan Kell, rector of Church of Our Saviour, Oatlands. —Fox News Staff, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2024

Ciotti had gone to speak to the school’s rector, to explain why the girl’s real name could not be used. —D. T. Max, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024

Other information provided by the Archdiocese noted Reidy was ordained by Bishop Timothy J. Harrington at Saint Paul Cathedral in Worcester in 1994, and was assigned to St. Peter Parish in Worcester before becoming rector of Saint Paul Cathedral by Bishop Daniel P. Reilly. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for rector

• hector
• lector
• nectar
• sector
• specter
• spectre
• vector
• bisector
• collector
• connector
• corrector
• defector

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