Refers to a Shinto priest, often the chief priest of a shrine. Sense 2 emphasizes the head priest role, but in many contexts 神主 simply means a Shinto priest.
I had a Shinto priest perform a purification ritual at the shrine.
あの神社の神主はとても親切だ。
The chief priest of that shrine is very kind.
Buddhist monk jargon; a pun on 禰宜 (ねぎ, a Shinto priest rank) and 葱 (ねぎ, Welsh onion). Not used in standard Japanese.
僧侶の間で「神主」と言うと、葱を指す隠語になることがある。
Among Buddhist monks, '神主' can be a jargon term for Welsh onion.
He took over the shrine and became a Shinto priest.
The priest recited a prayer and the ceremony began.
神主 is a male Shinto priest who conducts rites, while 巫女 is a young woman who assists with shrine rituals and dances.