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Definition of presbytery

presbytery

/ˈprɛzbɪtəri/
pres · by · ter · y
Plural:presbyteries
•
Adjective:presbyterial
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presbytery Lexical Profile

presbytery Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A regional governing court or assembly in Presbyterian churches, composed of all the ordained ministers and representative elders from the congregations within a specific district.

Example

"The local presbytery convened on Tuesday to examine and approve the ordination of two new ministers."

2

The official residence of a Roman Catholic parish priest.

Example

"After the Sunday morning Mass, the parish priest invited the visiting bishop back to the presbytery for lunch."

3

The eastern part of a church chancel beyond the choir, containing the high altar and reserved specifically for the clergy.

Example

"The medieval cathedral features an ornate vaulted presbytery directly behind the choir stalls."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for presbytery

• Nearby Words

presage
presale
presbyterian
presbytery
preschedule
preschool
preschooler

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Old French presbiterie and Late Latin presbyterium, from Ancient Greek presbyterion ('council of elders'), derived from presbyteros ('older, elder').

Cite this Entry

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