clergyman

noun

cler·​gy·​man ˈklər-jē-mən How to pronounce clergyman (audio)
plural clergymen
Synonyms of clergymannext
: a member of the clergy

Examples of clergyman 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.
Robin, our hero, is the son of a country clergyman. — John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026 Among them were doctors, teachers, merchants, clergymen, sailors and skilled artisans. — Jeremy Mennis, The Conversation, 1 May 2026 The trio of vicars starts with James Norton as Sidney Chambers, the doe-eyed clergyman with a taste for cool jazz and clever women. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 14 June 2026 Marsh was the provost of Trinity College during Swift’s time, and had risen to be the Primate, or chief clergyman, in Ireland. — Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for clergyman

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clergyman was circa 1513

Rhymes for clergyman

See All Rhymes for clergyman

Browse Nearby Words

clergyable
clergyman
clergyman's sore throat
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Cite this Entry

“Clergyman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clergyman. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

clergyman

noun
cler·​gy·​man ˈklər-ji-mən How to pronounce clergyman (audio)
: a member of the clergy

More from Merriam-Webster on clergyman

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for clergyman

Nglish: Translation of clergyman for Spanish Speakers

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