Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - priest

~ n 1 someone who is specially trained to perform religious duties and ceremonies in the Christian church 2 a man with religious duties and responsibilities in some non-Christian religions  ( USAGE NOTE: PRIEST WORD CHOICE priest, clergyman, clergy, minister, pastor, chaplain, padre A priest is someone in charge of the prayers, services etc for the people who attend a particular church, especially in the Roman Catholic Church. A priest in a Protestant church is often called a minister, and this is the most usual word in American English. A vicar is a priest who is in charge of a church in the Church of England. In the US pastor is also used for someone in charge of a particular church in the Protestant religion. More general words for priests include the clergy, clergymen, or a clergyman talks between education chiefs and the clergy | She married an impoverished clergyman. A priest who looks after the religious needs of an organization such as a university, hospital, or prison is a chaplain. A priest who looks after the religious needs of soldiers in the army, navy etc, is also called a chaplain, but can also be called a padre. )