presbyter

[ prez-bi-ter, pres- ]

noun

1. (in the early Christian church) an office bearer who exercised teaching, priestly, and administrative functions.
2. (in hierarchical churches) a priest.
3. an elder in a Presbyterian church.

presbyter

/ ˈprɛzbɪtə /

noun

1. 1. an elder of a congregation in the early Christian Church
   2. (in some Churches having episcopal politics) an official who is subordinate to a bishop and has administrative, teaching, and sacerdotal functions
2. (in some hierarchical Churches) another name for priest
3. in the Presbyterian Church
   1. a teaching elder
   2. a ruling elder

Other Words From

• pres·byt·er·al [prez-, bit, -er-, uh, l, pres-], adjective
• non·presby·ter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of presbyter¹

1590–1600; < Late Latin, noun use of the adj.: older < Greek presbýteros, equivalent to présby ( s ) old + -teros comparative suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of presbyter¹

C16: from Late Latin, from Greek presbuteros an older man, from presbus old man

Example Sentences

But the Rev. Craig Howard, the executive presbyter of the United Church’s Chicago district, told The Washington Times in an interview that he had not been aware of the “fast” at First United Church in Oak Park, located about 11 miles west of the city.

From Washington Times

Meanwhile, Sallie Watson, General Presbyter of Mission Presbytery, which oversees 130 churches in South Texas, has signed a letter requesting that Abbott require churches to hold services remotely.

From Washington Times

The Latin would have been “presbyter” – an elder – the word that would in later centuries give us both “priest” and “Presbyterian.”

From Fox News

“One of the things our commission is doing is deciding how to move forward on each of those properties,” said the Rev. Alan Thames, executive presbyter of the Whitewater Valley Presbytery.

From Washington Times

“One of the things our commission is doing is deciding how to move forward on each of those properties,” said the Rev. Alan Thames, executive presbyter of the Whitewater Valley Presbytery.

From Seattle Times