priestess

noun

priest·​ess ˈprē-stəs How to pronounce priestess (audio)
Synonyms of priestessnext
1
: a woman authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion
2
: a woman regarded as a leader (as of a movement)

Examples of priestess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Additionally, costume designer Charlese Antoinette Jones, who is also a Mauritian priestess, brought her expert-level knowledge of color and the spiritual culture to the costumes and set. — Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Women and girls in all corners of this world are accustomed to, and even expect, danger, including the priestess of Athena (Zendaya) whom Odysseus’ men behead during their sack of Troy. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026 My own outlook changed after a priestess told me to keep an altar to bring offerings to my ancestors. — Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026 The Rat Queen is Riley Pinkerton, mild-mannered doom priestess and Brooklyn artist, whose musical and visual dreams fuel her band’s raging odyssey. — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for priestess

Word History

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of priestess was in 1654

Phrases Containing priestess

Browse Nearby Words

priestdom
priestess
priestfish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Priestess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priestess. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

priestess

noun
priest·​ess ˈprē-stəs How to pronounce priestess (audio)
: a woman who is a priest

More from Merriam-Webster on priestess

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for priestess

Nglish: Translation of priestess for Spanish Speakers

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