English Reference
noun · verb

priest

n. · v.
US /ˈpɹist/ UK /pɹˈiːst/ priest UK spelling priested, priests

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate Religion

    n.a person who is trained to lead religious ceremonies and perform duties in a church or temple.

    n.a person ordained to perform religious rites and act as an intermediary between humans and a deity.

    Simple

    The priest spoke to the family after the Sunday morning service.

    In context

    The parish priest administered the final rites to the elderly man while his family gathered around the bedside in silent prayer.

  2. 02 C2 Proficiency Technical Cooking

    n.a heavy, blunt tool used by fishers to quickly kill a fish after catching it.

    n.a weighted club or blunt instrument used by anglers to stun or kill a fish immediately upon landing it.

    Simple

    He used a small wooden priest to kill the trout quickly and humanely.

    In context

    The experienced angler kept a brass-headed priest in his tackle box to ensure any fish kept for the table were dispatched instantly.

  3. 03 C2 Proficiency Formal Religion

    v.to officially make someone a priest in a religious ceremony.

    v.to admit a candidate to the orders of the priesthood through a formal ceremony of ordination.

    Simple

    The bishop traveled to the cathedral to priest three new candidates.

    In context

    After years of theological study and pastoral training, the candidate was finally priested during a solemn ceremony at the diocesan cathedral.

    ordain
This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated