Sexton: meaning, definitions and examples
⛪
sexton
[ ˈsɛkstənt ]
church official
A sexton is a person who is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of a church building and its grounds. This role often involves overseeing the preparation for services and events, as well as taking care of the cemetery. Traditionally, sextons have been responsible for ringing the church bells. In some communities, the sexton may also assist with administrative duties related to the church.
Synonyms
caretaker, churchwarden, janitor
Examples of usage
- The sexton rang the bell to signal the start of the service.
- As the new sexton, she took great pride in maintaining the church grounds.
- He was appointed sexton after years of volunteering at the church.
Translations
Translations of the word "sexton" in other languages:
🇵🇹 sexton
🇮🇳 सेक्सटन
🇩🇪 Sexton
🇮🇩 sexton
🇺🇦 секстон
🇵🇱 sekstyn
🇯🇵 セクストン
🇫🇷 sacristain
🇪🇸 sacristán
🇹🇷 sexton
🇰🇷 섹스턴
🇸🇦 سكتون
🇨🇿 sexton
🇸🇰 sexton
🇨🇳 教堂管理员
🇸🇮 sexton
🇮🇸 sæktón
🇰🇿 секстон
🇬🇪 სექსტონი
🇦🇿 sexton
🇲🇽 sacristán
Word origin
The word 'sexton' originates from the Middle English term 'sacristan', which itself was derived from the Latin 'sacrista', meaning 'one in charge of sacred objects'. Medieval churches had various officials for different duties, and the sexton was designated specifically to look after the church property and serve the clergy. Over time, as responsibilities evolved and church functions modernized, the role of the sexton became more recognized as a distinct profession, particularly in Protestant denominations. In some cultures, the sexton’s responsibilities also extend to supervising cemetery operations. This development indicated a transition from a purely clerical role to one that engaged with the broader community and its needs.