rectory

noun
rec·​to·​ry | \ ˈrek-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce rectory (audio) \
plural rectories

Definition of rectory

1 : a benefice held by a rector
2 : a residence of a rector or a parish priest

Examples of rectory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The dispute arose when housecleaners Emily Weaver, who is white, and LaShundra Allen, who is black, went in May to the rectory of the Rev. Jacek Kowal of Catholic Church of the Incarnation in Collierville. NBC News, "Housekeeper barred from priest's home because dog 'doesn't like black people,' women allege," 21 Aug. 2019 In May 2016, a man from Guam publicly accused Apuron of molesting him as an altar boy at the Mt. Carmel rectory. Washington Post, "Guam’s ex-archbishop shielded culture of clergy sex abuse," 10 Aug. 2019 According to Village Administrator Scott Gosse, the property includes a former school and a rectory. Evan Frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A Pewaukee parish wants to demolish a church that's been around since 1858," 13 Aug. 2019 Besides the main church, the grounds of Five Wounds have been home to a rectory, a convent and a school. Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, "Five Wounds Church in San Jose turning 100 years old," 6 July 2019 Religious artifacts were removed and the rectory and convent were knocked down. Rubén Rosario, Twin Cities, "Rosario: On saving a former church and another college scandal," 2 Aug. 2019 During a 2009 dinner, Rossi asked the couple to give to an ambitious capital campaign that included rebuilding the St. Michael rectory where the parish priests lived. Washington Post, "Top US cardinal accused of protecting deputy after sex abuse," 4 June 2019 Of those, only the rectory remains and in place of the school and convent is Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School. Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, "Five Wounds Church in San Jose turning 100 years old," 6 July 2019 McCain is hoping to add St. Mary's School, the former rectory and the parish center, which was also the convent. Jeff Rumage, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Developer needs public financing and historic designation to convert a Port Washington school into apartments," 1 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rectory.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of rectory

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for rectory

rectory

noun

English Language Learners Definition of rectory

: the house where the rector of a Christian church lives