Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

priest

/ˈpɹiːst/ noun

In Latin: sacerdōs, flāmen, sacrārius Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about priest at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A religious clergyman (clergywoman, clergyperson) who is trained to perform services or sacrifices at a church or temple.
The priest at the Catholic church heard his confession.
A blunt tool, used for quickly stunning and killing fish.
The highest office in the Aaronic priesthood.

verb

To ordain as a priest.

Origin

From Middle English prest, preest, from Old English prēost (“priest”), from Late Latin presbyter, from Ancient Greek πρεσβύτερος (presbúteros), from πρέσβυς (présbus, “elder, older”). Reinforced in Middle English by Old French prestre, also from Latin presbyter. Doublet of presbyter and prester. * The Tyndale Bible uses native English elder instead.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word