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.
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 The episode explores the story of Madame LaLaurie (Kathy Bates), her cruel actions, and what voodoo priestess Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett) did to her. — Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 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

Browse Nearby Words

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 14 Oct. 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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