high priest

noun

a chief priest.
Judaism. (from Aaronic times to about the 1st century a.d.) the priest ranking above all other priests and the only one permitted to enter the holy of holies.
Informal. a person in a high position of power or influence, especially one who is revered as a preeminent authority or interpreter: the high priest of the young painters.

Origin of high priest

1350–1400; Middle English heiye prest

Words nearby high priest

high place, high places, high places, friends in, high point, high polymer, high priest, high priestess, high priesthood, high profile, high relief, high renaissance

Example sentences from the Web for high priest

British Dictionary definitions for high priest

high priest

noun

Judaism the priest of highest rank who alone was permitted to enter the holy of holies of the tabernacle and Temple
Mormon Church a priest of the order of Melchizedek priesthood
the head of a group or cult Also (feminine): high priestess

Derived forms of high priest

high priesthood, noun