priest (B1)

noun

Pronunciation: /priːst/

Definition

A person ordained to perform religious rites and administer sacraments, especially in Christian churches.

Examples

• The Catholic priest heard confessions from his parishioners.

• He trained for years to become a priest in the Anglican Church.

• The ancient Egyptians had priests who served their gods in elaborate temples.

How to Use priest

priest of (prepositional phrase)

Designates the deity or religious system a priest serves. — "He served as the priest of the sun god Apollo."

priest for (prepositional phrase)

Indicates the group or purpose for which a priest performs duties. — "The priest offered prayers for the departed souls."

Synonyms of priest

Words with a similar meaning to priest:

• clergyman
• minister
• pastor
• vicar

Antonyms of priest

Words with the opposite meaning to priest:

• layperson
• atheist

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