1. Plural of paternoster; a prayer, especially the Lord's Prayer, recited in Christian worship.
Usage: Often capitalized when referring to the Lord's Prayer specifically.; Religious/liturgical context.
2. Plural of paternoster; beads on a rosary or prayer beads used to count prayers.
Usage: Religious context.; Often refers to the larger beads on a rosary.
3. Plural of paternoster; a type of continuous chain or elevator with buckets or platforms used to transport materials or people.
Usage: Technical/industrial context.; Chiefly British.

Examples

• The monks recited their paternosters in the chapel each morning.
• She fingered the paternosters on her rosary as she prayed.
• The factory installed new paternosters to move grain between floors.
• Children learned the paternosters as part of their religious education.
• The paternoster elevator transported workers up and down the mine shaft.
• He counted off the paternosters, one bead for each prayer.