noun

1. A senior official in a college or university, who may be in charge of a division or faculty (for example, the dean of science) or have some other advisory or disciplinary function (for example, the dean of students).

2. A dignitary or presiding officer in certain church bodies, especially an ecclesiastical dignitary, subordinate to a bishop, in charge of a chapter of canons.

3. The senior member of some group of people.

Synonyms: provost

verb

1. To serve as a dean.

2. To send (a student) to see the dean of a university.