noun
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.
神社で神主にお祓いをしてもらった。
I had a Shinto priest perform a purification ritual at the shrine.
あの神社
The chief priest of that shrine is very kind.
noun
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.