# presbytery

/pɹɪsbˈaɪtəɹi/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a priest's house

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

the house where a Roman Catholic priest lives, usually next to the church.

For teachers: the residence provided for a Roman Catholic parish priest, typically situated in close proximity to the parish church.

- The visitor knocked on the door of the presbytery to speak with the priest.
- The historic presbytery, a Victorian stone building adjacent to the cathedral, has housed the parish clergy for over a century.

Usage: Commonly used in a Roman Catholic context; other denominations may use 'vicarage' or 'manse'.

### 2. area of a church

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

the part of a church building near the altar that is kept for the priests and choir.

For teachers: the eastern part of the chancel of a church, situated between the choir and the high altar and reserved for the clergy.

- Only the priests were allowed to enter the presbytery during the ceremony.
- The restoration project focused on the ornate mosaic flooring within the presbytery, which had been damaged by centuries of foot traffic.

### 3. a governing body

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

a group of church elders or leaders who make decisions for a district.

For teachers: a court or governing body in Presbyterian churches consisting of all the ministers and representative elders within a specific district.

- The local presbytery met to discuss the appointment of a new minister.
- The regional presbytery exercised its jurisdictional authority by reviewing the financial records of several struggling congregations.

## Examples

- The presbytery met to discuss the new church rules.
- After the service, the local presbytery gathered in the hall to review the annual budget.
- The historical presbytery still stands as a testament to the architectural styles of the eighteenth century, serving as both a residence and a center for ecclesiastical administration.

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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.