A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform sacred ceremonies and rituals, especially in Christian churches. Priests lead worship services, deliver sermons, perform baptisms and weddings, and offer spiritual guidance to their congregation. In Catholic, Orthodox, and some other Christian traditions, priests also hear confessions and celebrate Mass, a sacred ceremony in which bread and wine are blessed.

The role of priest exists in many religions beyond Christianity. Ancient civilizations had priests who performed rituals in temples, made offerings to gods, and interpreted religious laws. In some traditions, like Hinduism and Shinto, priests still conduct important ceremonies at temples and shrines today.

Becoming a priest typically requires years of religious study and training. In the Catholic Church, for example, men study theology and scripture for several years before their ordination, the ceremony in which they officially become priests. Different religious traditions have different requirements: some allow women to serve as priests, while others restrict the role to men.

The word can also describe someone who serves as an authority or devotee of a particular idea or cause, though this usage is less common. You might hear someone called “a priest of progress” if they dedicate themselves intensely to advancing new ideas.