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CLERGY Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

: a group ordained to perform pastoral or sacerdotal functions in a Christian church Members of the clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.

: the official or sacerdotal class of a non-Christian religion

Examples of clergy in a Sentence

Local clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service. a member of the clergy

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. But most innocuous follow-up questions about a clergy member’s calling would reveal that information, even if indirectly. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2025 Previously, only cardinals and patriarchs could celebrate a papal funeral; opening it to all clergy is in keeping with Francis’ effort to create a humbler, less top-down image of the church. —Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025 From his early years in Argentina to his rise in the clergy ranks, see Pope Francis' journey to Vatican City Comments Before he was elected Pope Francis in 2013, he was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Buenos Aires. —Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025 If Episcopal clergy like me offer Easter confessional language in church, why shouldn’t a fellow Christian offer witness from a government website? —Chloe Breyer, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clergy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English clergie, from Anglo-French, from clerc clergyman

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of clergy was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Clergy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clergy. Accessed 10 May. 2025.