rector

1 of 2

noun (1)

rec·tor ˈrek-tər

Synonyms of rector

: one that directs : leader

: a member of the clergy (as of the Protestant Episcopal Church) in charge of a parish

: an incumbent of a Church of England benefice in full possession of its rights

: a Roman Catholic priest directing a church with no pastor or one whose pastor has other duties

: the head of a university or school

rectorate

ˈrek-t(ə-)rət

noun

rectorial

rek-ˈtȯr-ē-əl

adjective

rectorship

ˈrek-tər-ˌship

noun

rectorate

2 of 2

noun (2)

rec·tor·ate ˈrek-t(ə-)rət

plural -s

: the officer, rank, station, or term of a rector

Examples of rector 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.

Noun

Pernkopf was a Nazi functionary who became dean of the medical faculty in 1938 and rector of the university in 1943. — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026 The Rectory As the name suggests, The Rectory was originally home to the rector of nearby All Saints’ Church and his 14 children. — Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026 About 120 of them engage in adoration and weekend-long spiritual retreats, the first of which saw organizers and the basilica’s rector stay up to prepare the church until well past midnight. — ABC News, 1 June 2026 Fabrizio Giulio Luca Pilo, vice rector of innovation at the University of Cagliari, has been working to help Sardinia transition to cleaner, more reliable energy. — IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for rector

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Latin, from regere to direct — more at right

Noun (2)

Medieval Latin rectoratus, from Latin rector + -atus -ate

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of rector was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

recto

rector

rectoral

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Rector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rector. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rector

noun

rec·tor ˈrek-tər

: a member of the clergy who has charge of a church or parish

: the priest in charge of certain Roman Catholic religious houses

: the head of a university or school

rector

noun (1)

noun (2)

Examples of rector in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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rector

noun (1)

noun (2)

Examples of rector in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for rector

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on rector

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