noun
chief priest; resident priest
Specifically the head priest who resides at and oversees a Buddhist temple. Not a general term for any monk.
あの寺の住僧は、毎朝早くからお経をあげている。
The chief priest of that temple chants sutras early every morning.
住僧が交代してから、寺の雰囲気が変わった。
The atmosphere of the temple changed after the resident priest was replaced.