Meanings
-
1
noun
in Presbyterian churches, a governing council of ministers and elected elders from congregations in a district
The presbytery approved the minister's appointment after examining her credentials.
-
2
noun
the group of congregations or district governed by such a council
Representatives from every congregation in the presbytery attended the meeting.
-
3
noun
a priest's residence, or the part of a church reserved for officiating clergy
The parish priest received visitors in the presbytery beside the church.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Middle English presbetory and Late Latin presbyterium ('body of elders; part of a church for clergy'), from Greek presbyterion, based on presbyteros ('elder'). The institutional, territorial, residential, and architectural senses all grew from the role of church elders or priests.