noun
deacon
DEE-kuhn
noun
1
A church officer ranking below a priest, who assists with pastoral and administrative duties (the exact role varies by denomination).
"The deacon visited the sick and helped organise the food bank."
"He was ordained a deacon a year before becoming a full priest."
verb
1
To lead a hymn by reciting each line just before the congregation sings it.
"The old tradition of deaconing a hymn is still kept in some rural chapels."
How to Use Deacon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA church role, usually just below a priest or pastor, focused on service and assisting with church duties.
Common pairings
ordained a deacon
church deacon
deacon of the parish
Word Forms
deaconed past tense, deacons plural, Deacons plural, deacons singular
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Etymology
From Old English diacon, borrowed from Church Latin diaconus, going back to Greek diakonos, meaning "servant" or "minister".