1. plural of parish; local church communities or their territories under the care of a priest
Usage: religious context
2. plural of parish; administrative divisions in Louisiana equivalent to counties in other U.S. states
Usage: Louisiana government

Examples

• The diocese includes twelve parishes in the rural area.
• Each priest serves multiple parishes in the region.
• Louisiana has 64 parishes instead of counties.
• The storm damaged churches in several parishes.
• Parish boundaries were redrawn after the census.
• Many parishes struggle with declining membership.
• Orleans Parish contains the city of New Orleans.