high priest

noun

1. a chief priest.
2. Judaism. (from Aaronic times to about the 1st century a.d.) the priest ranking above all other priests and the only one permitted to enter the holy of holies.
3. Informal. a person in a high position of power or influence, especially one who is revered as a preeminent authority or interpreter:

   the high priest of the young painters.

high priest

noun

1. Judaism the priest of highest rank who alone was permitted to enter the holy of holies of the tabernacle and Temple
2. Mormon Church a priest of the order of Melchizedek priesthood
3. the head of a group or cult Also (feminine)high priestess

Derived Forms

• high priesthood, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of high priest¹

1350–1400; Middle English heiye prest

Example Sentences

Suddenly, Jackson’s career was kicked into the stratosphere and Jones was regarded as the high priest of pop music.

From Los Angeles Times

At the peak of his influence he was described as the "high priest of South Africa" according to the UK's Independent news site.

From BBC

A 12-year-old girl has been placed under police protection in Ghana after it emerged she had been married to a 63-year-old traditional high priest.

From BBC

The girl is expected to undergo a second customary ceremony to purify her for her new role as the wife of the high priest.

From BBC

The group’s website describes Shellenberger as an “environmental guru,” “climate guru,” “North America’s leading public intellectual on clean energy,” and “high priest” of the environmental humanist movement.

From Seattle Times