celebrant means A person who officiates at a religious ceremony, especially a marriage or the Eucharist. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 82 out of 100.
Why this word is great
CELEBRANT — [Noun] A person who performs or officiates at a formal ceremony, especially a religious rite or a secular life event such as a wedding. From French célébrant, from Latin celebrāns, present participle of celebrāre ("to frequent, to celebrate, to solemnize"). Unlike an attendee, a passive witness, or an officiant, a functional administrator, the celebrant is the named vessel for the ritual's gravity and joy. It is the priest raising the host in a dusty shaft of cathedral light, the captain pronouncing sailors married at sea, the elder chanting names into the wind—a temporary architect of a threshold, vested with the profound loneliness of holding the shape of a moment so others may fully fall into it.
noun
- A person who officiates at a religious ceremony, especially a marriage or the Eucharist.“The very reverend celebrant was then conducted to the platform of the altar, and the postulant and her attendants having genuflected, the ceremony of reception began with the preparatory prayers and responseries.”
- A person who conducts formal ceremonies in the community, particularly weddings, baby namings, renewals of wedding vows and funerals.“These are celebrants who marry people at registry offices.”
- A person who is celebrating something.“1977 February 10, Gerri Major, Gerri Major's Society World: Inaugural Balls Have Largest Black Participation Ever, JET, page 39,
Once inside, about all that the celebrants could do was nod their heads to the music and pat their feet.”