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
- clergyperson
- cleric
- clerical
- clerk
- deacon
- divine
- dominie
- ecclesiastic
- minister
- preacher
- reverend
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest. searched for a priest who could perform an exorcism
Recent Examples on the Web For a long time, the swastika held nothing but terror for her – until Nakagaki, the Buddhist priest and author, taught her otherwise. 
Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 28 Aug. 2022 James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor at large of the Christian magazine America, said in an interview. Emily Langer, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2022 James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor at large of the Christian magazine America, said in an interview. Emily Langer, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2022 Before Sidney Chambers, there was Father Brown, a priest and amateur detective who served as the star of more than 50 short stories, collected here. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 14 Aug. 2022 Jeewantha Peiris, a Catholic priest and another protest fixture, is in hiding after the police raided a church with a warrant for his arrest. New York Times, 3 Aug. 2022 The collection’s director, Mapelli, a missionary priest and an associate visited those communities, took video testimonies and traveled the world seeking more information about the museum’s holdings. Nicole Winfield, Anchorage Daily News, 21 July 2022 Juan Carlos Cruz, who was abused by that priest, received both a church apology and a personal one from Francis. Peter Smith, BostonGlobe.com, 24 July 2022 The drummer and his bride were married by a priest in a clifftop ceremony before a gilded, candlelit altar covered in dark red roses. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 28 June 2022 See More
Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 28 Aug. 2022 James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor at large of the Christian magazine America, said in an interview. Emily Langer, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2022 James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor at large of the Christian magazine America, said in an interview. Emily Langer, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2022 Before Sidney Chambers, there was Father Brown, a priest and amateur detective who served as the star of more than 50 short stories, collected here. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 14 Aug. 2022 Jeewantha Peiris, a Catholic priest and another protest fixture, is in hiding after the police raided a church with a warrant for his arrest. New York Times, 3 Aug. 2022 The collection’s director, Mapelli, a missionary priest and an associate visited those communities, took video testimonies and traveled the world seeking more information about the museum’s holdings. Nicole Winfield, Anchorage Daily News, 21 July 2022 Juan Carlos Cruz, who was abused by that priest, received both a church apology and a personal one from Francis. Peter Smith, BostonGlobe.com, 24 July 2022 The drummer and his bride were married by a priest in a clifftop ceremony before a gilded, candlelit altar covered in dark red roses. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 28 June 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
priest
noun
ˈprēst
: a person who has the authority to lead or perform religious ceremonies
priests
noun
as in preachers
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church searched for a priest who could perform an exorcism Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- preachers
- clerics
- bishops
- clergymen
- clericals
- deacons
- ministers
- pastors
- ecclesiastics
- reverends
- prelates
- fathers
- chaplains
- priestesses
- divines
- clerks
- monks
- clergypersons
- popes
- archbishops
- missionaries
- churchmen
- dominies
- abbots
- vicars
- diocesans
- presbyters
- rectors
- padres
- deaconesses
- friars
- deans
- clergywomen
- archpriests
- confessors
- parsons
- religious
- monsignors
- shepherds
- evangelists
- abbés
- curés
- missioners
- mendicants
- monastics
- oblates
- curates
- Holy Joes
- revivalists
- sky pilots
- monsignori
- missionizers
- high priests
- high priestesses
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- laymen
- laypeople
- secular
- seculars
- lectors
- lay readers