diaconate
noun
di·ac·o·nate
dī-ˈa-kə-nət 
-ˌnāt,
dē-
1
: the office or period of office of a deacon or deaconess
2
: an official body of deacons
Examples of diaconate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He was ordained to the diaconate in 1971 and to the priesthood in 1972.
—
Bryan Marquard, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2023
Brignac pleaded to be let into the diaconate.
—David A. Hammer, NOLA.com, 16 Dec. 2020
The role of female deacons likely ended in the 12th Century when the diaconate became a steppingstone to the priesthood, Stanton said.
—Susan Degrane, chicagotribune.com, 30 Mar. 2022
In the early 1960s, the Second Vatican Council restored the diaconate as a permanent vocation to married men.
—Susan Degrane, chicagotribune.com, 30 Mar. 2022
There is, however, one category of ministry that is booming — the diaconate.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2021
The exact details of the molestation allegations that led to Wheeler’s indefinite suspension from the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ diaconate remained unavailable Tuesday.
—Ramon Antonio Vargas | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, 4 Aug. 2020
For more information about the diaconate program, call Fr.
—Courant Community, 29 May 2018
The ordinary means of entering the clerical state is by ordination to the diaconate.
—Laurie Goodstein, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2016
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Bryan Marquard, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2023
Brignac pleaded to be let into the diaconate.
—David A. Hammer, NOLA.com, 16 Dec. 2020
The role of female deacons likely ended in the 12th Century when the diaconate became a steppingstone to the priesthood, Stanton said.
—Susan Degrane, chicagotribune.com, 30 Mar. 2022
In the early 1960s, the Second Vatican Council restored the diaconate as a permanent vocation to married men.
—Susan Degrane, chicagotribune.com, 30 Mar. 2022
There is, however, one category of ministry that is booming — the diaconate.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2021
The exact details of the molestation allegations that led to Wheeler’s indefinite suspension from the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ diaconate remained unavailable Tuesday.
—Ramon Antonio Vargas | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, 4 Aug. 2020
For more information about the diaconate program, call Fr.
—Courant Community, 29 May 2018
The ordinary means of entering the clerical state is by ordination to the diaconate.
—Laurie Goodstein, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2016
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diaconate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near diaconate
Cite this Entry
“Diaconate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diaconate. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
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