Meaning & use

Rector

noun·Advanced

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A member of the clergy who has charge of a parish, or the head of certain schools, colleges, or universities.

See it in a sentence

The new rector delivered his first sermon to a packed church on Sunday.

She was appointed rector of the university after decades on the faculty.

A note on using this word

In the Church of England, a rector traditionally received the full tithes of a parish, unlike a vicar; the title is also used for heads of some Scottish and European universities.

Words with a similar meaning

vicarpastor

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

The head of certain universities, colleges, or schools, especially in Scotland and continental Europe.

He was elected rector of the university by the student body.

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