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Definition of deacon

deacon

/ˈdiː.kən/
dea · con
Plural:deacons
•
Adjective:diaconal
•
Past Simple:deaconed
•
Past Participle:deaconed
•
Present Participle:deaconing
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deacon Lexical Profile

deacon Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An ordained minister of an order ranking just below that of a priest in Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox churches, who assists in liturgical services and charitable works.

Example

"The deacon read the Gospel aloud to the congregation during the Sunday liturgy."

2

An appointed or elected lay officer in various Protestant churches who assists the pastor with administrative duties, charitable distribution, and secular affairs of the congregation.

Example

"The board of deacons met on Tuesday evening to review the church budget and organize the community food drive."

Synonyms
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• verb

1

American To read aloud each line of a hymn or psalm before it is sung by the congregation.

Example

"In early New England churches where hymnbooks were scarce, a designated leader would deacon the psalms for the assembly."

2

American To pack fruit or vegetables with the finest specimens on top to conceal inferior produce underneath.

Example

"The vendor was fined at the county market after inspectors discovered he had deaconed his crates of apples."

Synonyms
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• Rhymes for deacon

• Nearby Words

de
de grey
de vis banded snake
deacon
deactivate
deactivation
deactivator

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'diacon', via Ecclesiastical Latin 'diaconus', from Ancient Greek 'diakonos' meaning 'servant, waiting-man, or messenger'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Deacon. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/deacon
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