plural deacons
: a subordinate officer in a Christian church: such as
a
: a Roman Catholic, Anglican, or Eastern Orthodox cleric ranking next below a priest
b
: one of the laity elected by a church with congregational polity to serve in worship, in pastoral care, and on administrative committees
c
: a Mormon in the lowest grade of the Aaronic priesthood
Examples of deacon in a Sentence
my cousin was married by his uncle, who is also a deacon in his church
Recent Examples on the Web
Reforms on the table include how to give greater roles to women in the Catholic Church, including ordaining them as deacons, and the greater inclusion of laity in governance and decision making.
—
Christopher Lamb, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
Image Ukrainian officials have asserted that Russia maintains a wide network of sleeper agents, and have variously accused a nurse, a church deacon, a high-ranking official in Ukraine’s intelligence agency.
—Kim Barker, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Bob Thomason, a former chairman of the board of deacons, said most or all of the congregation supports social justice.
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 4 Feb. 2025
Brenda Andrew was convicted of the 2001 murder of her husband, Rob Andrew, an advertising executive and church deacon, who was killed with a shotgun in the garage of his home in Oklahoma City.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025
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Christopher Lamb, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
Image Ukrainian officials have asserted that Russia maintains a wide network of sleeper agents, and have variously accused a nurse, a church deacon, a high-ranking official in Ukraine’s intelligence agency.
—Kim Barker, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Bob Thomason, a former chairman of the board of deacons, said most or all of the congregation supports social justice.
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 4 Feb. 2025
Brenda Andrew was convicted of the 2001 murder of her husband, Rob Andrew, an advertising executive and church deacon, who was killed with a shotgun in the garage of his home in Oklahoma City.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deacon
Cite this Entry
“Deacon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deacon. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deacon
noun
dea·con
ˈdē-kən 
1
: a member of the Christian clergy next below a priest
2
: a church member in various Christian churches who has special duties
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