1. a woman who is the head of a religious house or order, ranking below an abbess

Examples

• The prioress welcomed the new novices to the convent.
• Sister Margaret was elected prioress of the Dominican community.
• The prioress led the evening prayers in the chapel.
• Chaucer wrote about a prioress in The Canterbury Tales.
• The prioress oversaw the daily operations of the monastery.
• She served as prioress for twelve years before retiring.