prefect
noun
pre·fect
ˈprē-ˌfekt 
1
: any of various high officials or magistrates of differing functions and ranks in ancient Rome
2
: a chief officer or chief magistrate
3
: a student monitor in a usually private school
Examples of prefect in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The department is actually headed by Sister Simona Brambilla, the first-ever nun named as prefect of a major Holy See office.
—
Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
From 2000 to 2010, Re was prefect of the Vatican’s congregation for bishops, one of the most powerful and influential positions in the Holy See.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025
The Mayotte prefect’s office said in a bulletin that half the population should have access to running water by Wednesday evening.
—Reuters, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024
Instead, the article is signed by Cardinal Víctor Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, as well as Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.
—John Werner, Forbes, 2 Feb. 2025
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Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
From 2000 to 2010, Re was prefect of the Vatican’s congregation for bishops, one of the most powerful and influential positions in the Holy See.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025
The Mayotte prefect’s office said in a bulletin that half the population should have access to running water by Wednesday evening.
—Reuters, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024
Instead, the article is signed by Cardinal Víctor Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, as well as Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.
—John Werner, Forbes, 2 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prefect
Cite this Entry
“Prefect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prefect. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prefect
noun
pre·fect
ˈprē-ˌfekt
1
: a high official or judge (as of ancient Rome or France)
2
: a student assistant in some schools
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