Spanish word

rector

Pronunciation

IPA/rekˈtoɾ/

Meaning

  • masculine noununiversity president

Example

El rector dio la bienvenida a los estudiantes.

The university president welcomed the students.

Illustration for rector (university president)

More examples

Después de la ceremonia muchos estudiantes quisieron conocer al rector.

After the ceremony many students wanted to meet the university president.

Core concept

Head official who administers and officially represents a university or, in religious contexts, leads a parish.

Common phrases

  • conocer al rector

    meet the university president

  • saludar al rector

    greet the university president

Similar words

decano: Head of a faculty or school who manages academic programs and supervises teaching staff.
director: Manager of a department or campus facility responsible for daily operations, staff, and budget.
vicerrector: Senior deputy who supports university leadership and oversees specific academic or admin areas.

Definition in Spanish

Persona elegida o nombrada para administrar y representar oficialmente una institución universitaria; por extensión, dirigente de una parroquia en contextos religiosos.

Word origin

From Latin regere 'to guide' via medieval Latin rector, with the agentive suffix -tor forming 'one who guides or governs'.

Usage tips

  • Stress falls on the final syllable (rec-TOR) and there is no written accent, and the English title used for the role varies with country and institution.

Other meanings

  • school principalnoun
  • parish priestnoun

Word lists with this word