pastor

1 of 3

noun (1)

pas·​tor ˈpa-stər How to pronounce pastor (audio)
plural pastors
: a spiritual overseer
especially : a clergyperson serving a local church or parish
pastorship noun

pastor

2 of 3

verb

pastored; pastoring ˈpa-st(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce pastor (audio)

transitive verb

: to serve as pastor of
pastor a church

pastor

3 of 3

noun (2)

pas·​tor pä-ˈstȯr How to pronounce pastor (audio)
chiefly Southwestern US

Examples of pastor in a Sentence

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.
Noun
Black pastors and others launched boycotts of the company; judging from Cornell’s pained observation to the Wall Street analysts last week, the boycotts may have had an effect. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025 The megachurch announced that Pastor Daniel Floyd and his wife Tammy Floyd have accepted the position of senior pastor during Sunday morning’s service. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 May 2025
Verb
Howell, who also pastors The Rock at Stony Point Church, said the center has been at its current home for the past decade. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2025 Musk was not hired to pastor a church or run a counseling center. Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pastor

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English pastour, from Anglo-French, from Latin pastor herdsman, from pascere to feed — more at food

Noun (2)

Spanish, from Latin

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1623, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pastor was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pastor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pastor. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

pastor

noun
pas·​tor
ˈpas-tər
: a minister or priest in charge of a church or parish
pastorship
-ˌship
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on pastor

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