hierarch

UK: /ˈhaɪəˌrɑːk/ US: (hī′ə rärk′, hī′rärk)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

hi•er•arch  (hī′ə rärk′, hī′rärk), n. 

1. Religion a person who rules or has authority in sacred matters;
   high priest.
2. a person having high position or considerable authority.
3. Ancient History one of a body of officials or minor priests in certain ancient Greek temples.

• Greek hierárchēs steward of sacred rites, equivalent. to hier- hier- + -archēs -arch
• Medieval Latin hierarcha
• 1480–90

hi′er•ar′chal, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hierarch / ˈhaɪəˌrɑːk/ noun

1. a person in a position of high priestly authority
2. a person holding high rank in a religious hierarchy
3. a person at a high level in a hierarchy

ˌhierˈarchal adjective