lay reader

American  

noun

Anglican Church.

1. a layperson authorized by a bishop to conduct certain parts of a service.

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lay reader British  

noun

1. Church of England a person licensed by a bishop to conduct religious services other than the Eucharist

2. RC Church a layman chosen from among the congregation to read the epistle at Mass and sometimes other prayers

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Etymology

Origin of lay reader

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

A lay reader may find this wordy description difficult to grasp.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

Joy Gambardella, a lay reader at the city’s Emmanuel Church, said Al Swealmeen had been a “committed Christian”.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 17, 2021

A lay reader might not need the discourse on the proper naming of geologic epochs, but overall, it’s an excellent grounding in how fire functions, how we think about it and why that matters.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 27, 2021

It demands of the lay reader an ability to compartmentalize that may be difficult for some to maintain.

From Slate • Oct. 17, 2020

Perhaps this is a matter which requires explanation to the lay reader.

From Popular Law-making by Stimson, Frederic Jesup