ordained; ordaining; ordains
1
: to invest (see invest entry 2 sense 1) officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority
was ordained as a priest
2
a
: to establish or order by appointment, decree, or law : enact
We the people … do ordain and establish this Constitution …—
U.S. Constitution
U.S. Constitution
b
: destine, foreordain
It is futile to try to avoid what destiny has ordained.
: to issue an order
so the gods have ordained
ordainer
noun
Examples of ordain in a Sentence
She is an ordained minister.
The process was ordained by law.
Recent Examples on the Web
Under church law, consecrating bishops without papal approval is considered a schismatic act and carries automatic excommunication for both the bishops being ordained and the bishop performing the ceremony.
—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2026
In recent decades, various popes have sought to reconcile with the group and in 2009 Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunications of the four bishops ordained in 1988.
—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
30 June 2026
After the war, he was ordained and served as a minister at the Steele Creek Presbyterian Church from 1804 until his death in 1827.
—
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2026
In 1962, Lazowski was ordained and served as the spiritual leader of Beth Shalom Synagogue in Hartford until 1969.
—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ordain
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Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2026
In recent decades, various popes have sought to reconcile with the group and in 2009 Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunications of the four bishops ordained in 1988.
—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
30 June 2026
After the war, he was ordained and served as a minister at the Steele Creek Presbyterian Church from 1804 until his death in 1827.
—
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2026
In 1962, Lazowski was ordained and served as the spiritual leader of Beth Shalom Synagogue in Hartford until 1969.
—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ordain
Cite this Entry
“Ordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ordain. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ordain
verb
or·dain
ȯr-ˈdān 
1
: to make a person a Christian minister or priest by a special ceremony
2
a
: decree entry 2
it was ordained by law
b
: destine sense 1
we seem ordained to fail
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