parishes
n. countable C1 Advanced US //ˈpæɹɪʃɪz// UK //pˈæɹɪʃɪz// parish·es
n. small areas or districts that have their own local church and priest. In some countries, these areas are also used for local government and voting.
n. administrative subdivisions of a diocese, each having its own church and a priest or minister; also used as units of local civil government in certain jurisdictions.
The priest visits several parishes every week.
The local council represents three different parishes and manages the maintenance of their shared public parks.
Historical records from these rural parishes provide invaluable data for genealogists tracing family lineages back to the seventeenth century.
Usage
The plural form of 'parish'; refers to both the geographical area and the community of people within it.