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
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Or would Azriel instead mate with Gwyn, the traumatized priestess turned badass Valkyrie warrior whose early experience of violence echoes Azriel’s own? — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026 The medium, a succession of Delphic priestesses, was a woman who offered prophecies (sometimes in highly ambiguous verse) which were ostensibly based on counsel that came directly from Apollo. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026 Step around, and potentially inside, awe-inspiring vehicles from the film, or come face-to-face with the Bene Gesserit, a group of priestesses who possess, among other things, the ability to bend the will of others. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 The oracle was a priestess who entered a trance state to convey answers from Apollo, the Greek god of prophecy. — Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 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

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priestdom
priestess
priestfish
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Cite this Entry

“Priestess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priestess. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

priestess

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

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