pastor

1 of 3

noun (1)

pas·​tor ˈpa-stər How to pronounce pastor (audio)
plural pastors
Synonyms of pastornext
: a spiritual overseer
especially : a clergyperson serving a local church or parish
pastorship
ˈpa-stər-ˌship How to pronounce pastor (audio)
noun

pastor

2 of 3

verb

pastored; pastoring ˈpa-st(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce pastor (audio)

transitive verb

: to serve as pastor of
pastor a church

pastor

3 of 3

noun (2)

pas·​tor pä-ˈstȯr How to pronounce pastor (audio)
chiefly Southwestern US
: herdsman

Examples of pastor 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
In the video, that employee then says that the student didn’t plan to tell their parents because their father was a pastor, which some social media critics are saying is proof that the district is keeping the truth from parents. — Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026 The master of divinity degree — a common degree for pastors and ministers — remains on the professional list, with a more generous student loan limit. — Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Verb
Musk was not hired to pastor a church or run a counseling center. — Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025 Bowman, 36, of College Hill, pastors a church in the West End and owns a coffee shop. — Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for pastor

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English pastour, from Anglo-French, from Latin pastor herdsman, from pascere to feed — more at food

Noun (2)

Spanish, from Latin

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1623, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pastor was in the 14th century

Rhymes for pastor

See All Rhymes for pastor

Browse Nearby Words

pastophorium
pastor
pastorage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

pastor

noun
pas·​tor
ˈpas-tər
: a minister or priest in charge of a church or parish
pastorship
-ˌship
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on pastor

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pastor

Nglish: Translation of pastor for Spanish Speakers

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