Definition of: presbytery

(prez′bə·ter′ē, pres′-) noun plural ·ter·ies
1. In the Presbyterian Church, a court having the ecclesiastical and spiritual rule and oversight of a given district; the district so represented; also, presbyters collectively.
2. The system of church government by presbyters: distinguished from the Independent system and prelacy.
3. That part of a church set apart for the clergy.
4. In the Roman Catholic Church, the residence of the priest. [<OF presbiterie <LL presbyterium assembly of elders <Gk. presbyterion <presbyteros elder]