padre

noun

1
: a Christian clergyman
especially : priest
2
: a military chaplain

Word History

Etymology

Spanish or Italian or Portuguese, literally, father, from Latin pater — more at father

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of padre was in 1584

Dictionary Entries Near padre

Cite this Entry

“Padre.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/padre. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

padre

noun
pa·​dre ˈpäd-rā How to pronounce padre (audio) -rē How to pronounce padre (audio)
1
: priest
2
: a military chaplain
Etymology

from Spanish or Italian or Portuguese padre "priest," literally, "father," all from Latin pater "father" — related to paternal, patron, pattern

More from Merriam-Webster on padre

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