What does prelate mean?
A prelate is a senior church official, especially a bishop or archbishop, with authority over a region, institution, or branch of a church. The word is most common in formal, historical, legal, and ecclesiastical contexts rather than in ordinary conversation. It carries connotations of seniority, rank, and religious authority, and may also suggest a formal or somewhat traditional relationship to church power. In modern usage, the term is most often encountered in writing about the history and organization of Christianity. Although the noun is the word's best-established use, prelate can also function as a verb meaning to preside over or officiate, especially at a marriage or other religious ceremony. Its historical sense as a predecessor or superior was once more prominent, but today the ecclesiastical sense dominates.
A senior member of the clergy, especially a bishop or archbishop, with authority over a church or region.
"The prelate delivered a formal address to the assembled clergy."
Formal and somewhat old-fashioned; especially common in historical and ecclesiastical contexts.
To preside over or officiate, especially at a marriage or religious ceremony.
"The bishop prelated the wedding in the cathedral."
Less common than the noun and generally used in formal or religious contexts.
Used when referring to more than one senior member of the clergy.
"The two prelates met with the church's governing council."
From the Latin for “placed before,” a prelate was literally someone placed ahead of others in rank and authority.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prelate come from?
The word comes from Latin prae- meaning “before” and latus, the past participle of ferre, meaning “to carry,” together conveying the idea of someone placed or set before others. English borrowed it in the Middle English period for a senior ecclesiastical figure. The same Latin roots are reflected in related words such as relate, translate, and lateral, though their modern meanings have developed independently.
Related word forms
How prelate is actually used
The noun is formal and somewhat old-fashioned in modern English, although it remains used in legal, historical, and ecclesiastical writing. It can sound respectful in a religious context but distant or hierarchical in general discussion.
Easily confused with prelate
As a noun, a prelate is a senior church official; as a verb, it means to preside over or officiate, especially a marriage or religious ceremony.