Okuzeka
Religious Studies & Theology vocabulary · Religious Institutions and Roles

Priest

Meaning in religious studies & theology, with examples

/priːst/nounCore term

In religious studies & theology, priest means: A person authorized to perform sacred rituals, such as offering sacrifices or administering sacraments, in traditions such as Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity and Hinduism.

In Turkish: rahip, papaz

How it is used

Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican clergy are ordained as priests; most Protestant churches prefer minister or pastor. The word is also used for Hindu temple priests and for priests in ancient religions. The institution is the priesthood; the adjective is priestly.

Example sentences

  1. Catholic priests in the Latin Church are generally required to remain celibate.

  2. In the temple, priests chant Sanskrit hymns during the morning ritual.

Common collocations

  • parish priest
  • ordained priest
  • Catholic priest
  • temple priest
  • the priesthood
  • clergyThe people who are formally trained and appointed to perform religious duties and lead a community, such as priests, ministers, imams and rabbis, considered as a group.
  • ordainTo make someone a priest, minister, rabbi or other religious leader through an official ceremony.
  • churchA building for Christian worship; also a particular Christian community or organization, such as the Catholic Church, or Christians as a whole.
  • sacramentIn Christianity, a sacred rite believed to be a visible sign through which God's grace is given, such as baptism and the Eucharist.
  • monkA man who has left ordinary life to live under religious vows, usually in a community, devoting himself to prayer, study or meditation.

More terms: Religious Institutions and Roles

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: