an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college
"After the department head retired, Dean Martinez stepped in to lead the engineering faculty and guide their new curriculum initiatives."
United States film actor whose moody rebellious roles made him a cult figure (1931-1955)
"The film festival held a special retrospective honoring Dean, the American film actor whose moody rebellious roles made him a cult figure between 1931 and 1955."
(Roman Catholic Church) the head of the College of Cardinals
"The new dean announced that the College of Cardinals would convene next month to discuss papal succession."
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).
"The old shepherd led his flock up the steep Dean to find fresh grazing land."
A hill.
In plain English: A dean is a high-ranking administrator who oversees a specific group of students or departments within a college or university.
"The university dean announced that classes would start next week."
Usage: The term "dean" as a noun does not refer to a hill; that definition is incorrect in standard English. Use "dean" exclusively to describe a high-ranking official in charge of a faculty or college, or the leader of a cathedral chapter.
To serve as a dean.
"As the new dean, she held her first faculty meeting on Monday morning to discuss budget changes."
In plain English: To dean something means to clean it up and organize it so everything is neat.
"The new manager will soon dean the office by organizing all the files and supplies."
Usage: The verb "to dean" means to serve as a dean or head of a department within an institution. You should only use it when describing someone who holds that specific administrative title, not when referring to general leadership roles.
A title afforded to a dean.
"The new dean addressed the students from her office, clearly relishing the prestige of holding such an important academic title."
The word dean comes from the Latin decānus, which entered English through Middle English via Anglo-Norman and Old French. It originally referred to a leader or head, particularly in religious contexts like a college or cathedral chapter.