deacon

noun

dea·​con ˈdē-kən How to pronounce deacon (audio)
plural deacons
: a subordinate officer in a Christian church: such as
a
: a Roman Catholic, Anglican, or Eastern Orthodox cleric ranking next below a priest
b
: one of the laity elected by a church with congregational polity to serve in worship, in pastoral care, and on administrative committees
c
: a Mormon in the lowest grade of the Aaronic priesthood

Examples of deacon in a Sentence

my cousin was married by his uncle, who is also a deacon in his church
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.
As a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Grove City, Woody served as a deacon, usher, adult Sunday School teacher and superintendent. Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025 The Catholic Church doesn’t allow women to be bishops, priests or deacons. Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025 In retirement, the grandfather of four found joy in taking walks at sunrise around the Rose Bowl, watching his beloved San Francisco 49ers and serving as head deacon of his congregation at Weller Street Baptist Church, his daughter said. Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025 Cain has spoken previously about her First Baptist upbringing in a small conservative Florida town as the daughter of a deacon whose first exposure to music was through her church choir. James Factora, Them, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for deacon 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dekene, from Old English dēacon, from Late Latin diaconus, from Greek diakonos, literally, servant, from dia- + -konos (akin to enkonein to be active); perhaps akin to Latin conari to attempt

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deacon was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near deacon

Cite this Entry

“Deacon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deacon. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

deacon

noun
dea·​con ˈdē-kən How to pronounce deacon (audio)
1
: a member of the Christian clergy next below a priest
2
: a church member in various Christian churches who has special duties

More from Merriam-Webster on deacon

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