Definition of "rector" in English

noun

1. In the Anglican Church, a cleric in charge of a parish and who owns the tithes of it.

2. In the Roman Catholic Church, a cleric with managerial as well as spiritual responsibility for a church or other institution.

3. (Eastern Orthodoxy, uncommon) A priest or bishop in the Orthodox Church who is in charge of a parish or in an administrative leadership position in a theological seminary or academy.

4. In a Protestant church, a pastor in charge of a church with administrative and pastoral leadership combined.

5. A headmaster or headmistress in various educational institutions, e.g., a university.

6. (Scotland) An official in Scottish universities who heads the university court and is elected by and represents the student body.