concelebrant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Ecclesiastical
Quick answer
What does “concelebrant” mean?
A priest or clergy member who participates with others in celebrating a religious ceremony, especially the Eucharist/Mass.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A priest or clergy member who participates with others in celebrating a religious ceremony, especially the Eucharist/Mass.
In a broader sense, can refer to any person who jointly participates in or facilitates a ceremonial or celebratory event. In contemporary usage, sometimes applied metaphorically to collaborators in a significant shared activity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Usage is identical in both varieties within religious contexts. The concept and its application are universal in Roman Catholic and some Anglican/Episcopalian traditions.
Connotations
Associated with formal, high-church liturgy. Implies a specific, regulated role within a sacramental rite.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Exclusive to religious discourse, theological writing, and church bulletins. Slightly more likely to be encountered in UK writing due to the established state church, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “concelebrant” in a Sentence
concelebrant of [the Mass/a liturgy]concelebrant with [a bishop/other priests]serve/act as a concelebrantVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “concelebrant” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Several priests will concelebrate the Chrism Mass at the cathedral.
American English
- The newly ordained priest will concelebrate his first Mass next Sunday.
adjective
British English
- The concelebrant priests processed to the altar together.
American English
- A concelebrant bishop offered the final blessing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in theological studies, liturgical history, and religious anthropology papers.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation outside of specific religious communities.
Technical
Technical term within canon law, liturgy, and ecclesiology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “concelebrant”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “concelebrant”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “concelebrant”
- Using it for any event participant (e.g., 'concelebrants at the wedding' for guests).
- Misspelling as 'concelebrater' or 'concelebrator'.
- Using it as a verb ('to concelebrate' exists, but 'concelebrant' is only a noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, in its strict liturgical sense, a concelebrant must be an ordained priest or bishop. Laypeople participate as members of the congregation.
The 'celebrant' (or principal celebrant) is the one who presides over the ceremony. A 'concelebrant' joins in this presidential role, performing the rites alongside them.
Yes, 'to concelebrate' is the corresponding verb, meaning to jointly celebrate a liturgy, especially the Mass.
Extremely rarely. Its semantic core is tied to Christian, particularly Catholic and Anglican, sacramental theology. It is not standard terminology in other religions.
A priest or clergy member who participates with others in celebrating a religious ceremony, especially the Eucharist/Mass.
Concelebrant is usually formal, ecclesiastical in register.
Concelebrant: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈsɛlɪbrənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈsɛləbrənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONcert where CELEBRANTS perform together. A CON-CELEBRANT is a priest celebrating the Mass *with* others.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGIOUS RITUAL IS A PERFORMANCE (where concelebrants are co-actors).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'concelebrant' most accurately used?