Ecclesiastes

noun

Ec·​cle·​si·​as·​tes i-ˌklē-zē-ˈa-(ˌ)stēz 

e-ˌklē-

: a book of wisdom literature in canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture see Bible Table

Examples of Ecclesiastes in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other selections include the Parable of the Prodigal Son and readings from Job, Ecclesiastes, Psalms and Lamentations, according to reporting by The Texas Tribune. — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2026

But to paraphrase the Book of Ecclesiastes, there’s a time and a place for everything. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026

As the Book of Ecclesiastes offered us, there’s a season for everything. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026

But, as the Book of Ecclesiastes offered us, there’s a season for everything. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026

In the autumn of his life, Solomon wrote the Book of Ecclesiastes. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2026

As the book of Ecclesiastes notes, nothing is ever really new, mainly because everything has always been new. — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin Ecclēsiastēs, borrowed from Greek Ekklēsiastḗs, from ekklēsiastḗs "participant in an assembly of citizens" (adapted by the Septuagint translators as a rendering of Hebrew qōheleth, named in the title verse as the author of the Biblical book), from ekklēsiázein "to hold a public assembly, be a member of the assembly" (verbal derivative of ekklēsía "assembly of citizens") + -tēs, agent suffix — more at ecclesial

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Ecclesiastes

• bermudagrass
• alas
• amass
• bromegrass
• bypass
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass
• impasse

Kids Definition

Ecclesiastes

noun

Ec·​cle·​si·​as·​tes ik-ˌlē-zē-ˈas-(ˌ)tēz 

e-ˌklē-

: a book of wisdom literature in canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture see bible