: an ecclesiastic (such as a bishop or abbot) of superior rank
Examples of prelate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The group was founded in 1970 in Switzerland by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, a French prelate, but five years later was officially suppressed by the Bishop of Fribourg.
—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
30 June 2026
In our post-religious era—in which, beneath the cloak of secular humanitarianism, righteous religiosity and virtuous crusading remain as potent as ever—history has attained the authority, authenticity and prestige that religion and its prelates once possessed.
—
Simon Sebag Montefiore,
The Atlantic,
28 June 2026
In roughly 33 hours over the course of two days, the diverse group of international prelates elected Prevost on the fourth ballot.
—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Many other national bishops’ conferences and individual prelates have spoken out.
—
René Ostberg,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Mar. 2026
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Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
30 June 2026
In our post-religious era—in which, beneath the cloak of secular humanitarianism, righteous religiosity and virtuous crusading remain as potent as ever—history has attained the authority, authenticity and prestige that religion and its prelates once possessed.
—
Simon Sebag Montefiore,
The Atlantic,
28 June 2026
In roughly 33 hours over the course of two days, the diverse group of international prelates elected Prevost on the fourth ballot.
—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Many other national bishops’ conferences and individual prelates have spoken out.
—
René Ostberg,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prelate
Cite this Entry
“Prelate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prelate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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prelate
noun
prel·ate
ˈprel-ət 
: a high-ranking member of the clergy (as a bishop)
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