# prefect

/ˈpɹiˌfɛkt/ (US) · /pɹˈiːfɛkt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prefect
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. school student with authority

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a student who is given special duties and the power to make other students follow school rules.

For teachers: a senior pupil appointed to a position of authority, responsible for maintaining discipline and assisting staff.

- The head teacher chose Sarah to be a prefect because she was very responsible.
- As a school prefect, he was expected to patrol the corridors during lunch breaks and report any instances of bullying to the faculty.

Usage: Common in British, Australian, and other Commonwealth private or traditional state schools.

### 2. government official

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a high-ranking official who is in charge of a specific area or department in some countries.

For teachers: a high-level administrative official or chief officer of a department, particularly in France, Japan, or Romania.

- The local prefect met with the mayor to discuss the new regional budget.
- The French prefect is appointed by the central government to represent the state's interests within a specific department.

Usage: Often used in the context of civil administration in countries with a Napoleonic legal heritage.

### 3. Ancient Roman official

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Academic

a powerful officer in Ancient Rome who was in charge of a specific part of the government or military.

For teachers: a high-ranking civil or military officer in Ancient Rome, such as the commander of the Praetorian Guard.

- The prefect of the city was responsible for keeping order in Rome.
- Historians note that the Praetorian Prefect eventually became one of the most influential figures in the later Roman Empire.

## Examples

- The head prefect leads the school assembly every Monday morning.
- After three years of excellent behavior, she was appointed as a prefect to help supervise the younger students during lunch.
- The school's disciplinary system relies heavily on the prefect body to manage minor infractions, allowing the teaching staff to focus on academic instruction rather than routine supervision.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.