pastor

[ pas-ter, pah-ster ]

noun

1. a minister or priest in charge of a church.
2. a person having spiritual care of a number of persons.
3. Ornithology. any of various starlings, especially Sturnus roseus rosy pastor of Europe and Asia.

verb (used with object)

1. to serve as the pastor of:

   He pastored the church here for many years.

pastor

/ ˈpɑːstə /

noun

1. a clergyman or priest in charge of a congregation
2. a person who exercises spiritual guidance over a number of people
3. an archaic word for shepherd
4. Also calledrosy pastor a S Asian starling, Sturnus roseus, having glossy black head and wings and a pale pink body

pastor

1. In some groups of Christians (see also Christian ), the clergyman in charge of an individual congregation. The term is used this way in the Lutheran Church and Roman Catholic Church and, to a lesser extent, by Baptists and in the Protestant Episcopal Church .

Derived Forms

• ˈpastorˌship, noun

Other Words From

• pastor·less adjective
• pastor·like pastor·ly adjective
• sub·pastor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pastor¹

1325–75; < Latin pāstor shepherd, literally, feeder, equivalent to pās-, base of pāscere to put to pasture, feed + -tor -tor; replacing Middle English pastour < Anglo-French

Word History and Origins

Origin of pastor¹

C14: from Latin: shepherd, from pascere to feed

Example Sentences

Immigration will be the biggest source of tension between the city government and the Trump administration, said Manuel Pastor, the institute’s director.

From Los Angeles Times

Pastor Robert Jeffress is hardly the only example, but no one embodies the corrupting force of that this temptation better than he does.

From Salon

Pastor Henrique Vieira, a federal congressman, said: "I didn't want her to be a flag, a slogan. She is missed and we really miss Mari's joy, strength, bravery, brilliance."

From BBC

That’s the right approach, but I’m with Pastor Guevara in thinking a sense of urgency is missing in the city of Los Angeles, despite the highly visible evidence of an emergency.

From Los Angeles Times

"Pastor Ray has gone to be with the Lord peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family and loved ones," his son said in a statement.

From BBC

Related Words

• cleric
• minister
• preacher
• priest
• rector
• vicar