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 city’s prefect of police Laurent Nunez told a news conference that 192 members of the public and nine police officers had been injured.
—
Tom Williams, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Then the camerlengo and prefect of the papal household pass the news to various officials in the Vatican, who relay it to the people of Rome and the heads of nations.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
The former prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and missionary in Peru, Pope Leo XIV, succeeds Pope Francis as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
He was born in Chicago, Illinois and was appointed as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops by Pope Francis in 2023.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prefect
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.
Tom Williams, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Then the camerlengo and prefect of the papal household pass the news to various officials in the Vatican, who relay it to the people of Rome and the heads of nations.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
The former prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and missionary in Peru, Pope Leo XIV, succeeds Pope Francis as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
He was born in Chicago, Illinois and was appointed as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops by Pope Francis in 2023.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 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 19 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share