prefect

noun

pre·​fect ˈprē-ˌfekt 

1

: any of various high officials or magistrates of differing functions and ranks in ancient Rome

2

: a chief officer or chief magistrate

3

: a student monitor in a usually private school

Examples of prefect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While women have been named to No. 2 spots in some Vatican offices, never before has a woman been named prefect of a dicastery or congregation of the Holy See Curia, the central governing organ of the Catholic Church. —Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025

Sister Brambilla is the first prefect of a department of the Roman Curia, as the central administration of the church is known. —Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025

Nevertheless, Brambilla's designation as prefect signifies the Vatican's trust in her leadership abilities. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025

The authorities were still assessing the impact of the storm on Sunday, but the prefect of Mayotte warned that the death toll could climb. —Nazaneen Ghaffar, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praefectus, from past participle of praeficere to place at the head of, from prae- + facere to make — more at do

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prefect

• prefect apostolic

Kids Definition

prefect

noun

pre·​fect ˈprē-ˌfekt 

1

: a high official or judge (as of ancient Rome or France)

2

: a student assistant in some schools