Parish: meaning, definitions and examples

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parish

 

[ ˈperɪʃ ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

religious

A small administrative district typically having its own church and a priest or pastor.

Synonyms

congregation, diocese, rectory.

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Word Description / Examples
parish

This term is commonly used to describe a local church community or the geographical area served by a church. It often includes the church, its members, and various activities related to the church.

  • The parish will be hosting a bake sale next Sunday.
  • She has been a member of this parish for over ten years.
diocese

This term is used to describe a district or region under the supervision of a bishop in the Christian church. It generally encompasses several parishes.

  • He was recently assigned to a new diocese in the north.
  • The diocese has seen significant growth in recent years.
congregation

This word is used to refer specifically to the group of people who attend a particular church or religious service. It emphasizes the individuals who make up the church community.

  • The congregation gathered for the Christmas Eve service.
  • Our congregation is very active in community outreach programs.
rectory

This word is used to refer to the residence provided for a church's clergy, particularly the rector or priest. It often implies the house associated with a parish church.

  • The new priest has moved into the rectory beside the church.
  • Church members helped renovate the old rectory.

Examples of usage

  • The parish was responsible for organizing community events.
  • She attended the local parish church every Sunday.
Context #2 | Noun

legal

The residents of such a district collectively.

Synonyms

community, district, ward.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
parish

Best suited for a religious or church-based context, typically referring to a local church community or its administrative district.

  • The parish held a fundraising event.
  • She attends services at her local parish every Sunday.
district

Usually refers to an administrative or governmental area within a city, town, or region, often having defined boundaries for political, educational, or other organizational purposes.

  • Our school is in the northern district.
  • The district has elected a new representative.
community

Used to refer broadly to a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. It can be a neighborhood, a group linked by shared interests, or a social unit.

  • The community came together to clean the park.
  • She is an active member of the artistic community.
ward

Often used in both administrative and healthcare contexts. In politics, it can refer to a division of a city or town for electoral purposes. In a hospital setting, it refers to a specific area or unit for patients.

  • He was elected as the councillor for the third ward.
  • She was admitted to the maternity ward after the surgery.

Examples of usage

  • The parish voted on the new zoning laws.
  • The parish was divided on the issue of property taxes.
Context #3 | Verb

archaic

To place someone under the jurisdiction or authority of a parish.

Synonyms

appoint, assign, delegate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
parish

Used when referring to a church community or administrative district with its own local government, especially in some Christian denominations.

  • The priest welcomed the new members to the parish.
  • They decided to hold the festival in the parish hall.
assign

Used when giving someone a particular task or duty, often in a work or academic setting.

  • The teacher will assign homework at the end of the class.
  • The manager assigned the project to the most experienced team.
appoint

Used when officially choosing someone for a job or position, often in an organization or government.

  • The board decided to appoint a new CEO.
  • She was appointed as the ambassador to France.
delegate

Used when giving responsibility or authority to someone else to carry out specific tasks, often in a business or political context.

  • It's important to delegate tasks to your team members.
  • The president decided to delegate his duties to the vice-president during his absence.

Examples of usage

  • He was parish'd to the care of the local church.

Translations

Translations of the word "parish" in other languages:

🇵🇹 paróquia

🇮🇳 पारिश

🇩🇪 Pfarrgemeinde

🇮🇩 paroki

🇺🇦 парафія

🇵🇱 parafia

🇯🇵 教区

🇫🇷 paroisse

🇪🇸 parroquia

🇹🇷 cemaat

🇰🇷 교구

🇸🇦 أبرشية

🇨🇿 farnost

🇸🇰 farnosť

🇨🇳 教区

🇸🇮 župnija

🇮🇸 sókn

🇰🇿 парафия

🇬🇪 პარაფია

🇦🇿 pariya

🇲🇽 parroquia

Etymology

The word 'parish' originated from the Old French word 'paroisse', which in turn came from the Latin word 'parochia'. The concept of a parish as a geographical area served by a church dates back to early Christian times. Parishes were established to provide pastoral care to specific communities. Over time, the term 'parish' has evolved to encompass both religious and administrative meanings, reflecting its dual role in society.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,489, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.