priestess

noun

priest·​ess ˈprē-stəs How to pronounce priestess (audio)
1
: a woman authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion
2
: a woman regarded as a leader (as of a movement)

Examples of priestess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kinvara, that red priestess who popped up in Myrene on Game of Thrones season 6, will be so happy that she's now vindicated in her claims. Nick Romano, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2024 Legend has it that Apollo prevented his muse priestess from brewing, imbibing or smoking laurel leaves, which have a mild narcotic property. Alison Habens, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2024 Ancient priestesses made their bodies a conduit for collective transcendence and, now that the old gods have abandoned us, we secular souls tend to find our collective transcendence at concerts. Lauren Groff, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2024 September 21, 2024 Vivianne Crowley is a Wiccan priestess, psychologist, and spiritual teacher, whose books offer practical advice on how to harness the energies of the natural world. Vivianne Crowley, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for priestess 

Word History

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of priestess was in 1654

Dictionary Entries Near priestess

Cite this Entry

“Priestess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priestess. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

priestess

noun
priest·​ess ˈprē-stəs How to pronounce priestess (audio)
: a woman who is a priest

More from Merriam-Webster on priestess

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!