Definition of: rector

(rek′tər) noun
1. In the Church of England, a priest who has full charge of a parish, and receives the parochial tithes: distinguished from vicar.
2. In the Protestant Episcopal Church, a priest in charge of a parish.
3. In the Roman Catholic Church: a A priest in charge of a congregation or church, especially one not having parochial status: distinguished from parish priest. b The head of a seminary or religious house.
4. In certain universities, colleges, and schools, the head or chief officer. [<L rectus, pp. of regere rule]
—rec′tor·ate (-it) noun
—rec·to·ri·al (rek·tôr′ē·əl, -tō′rē-) adjective