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ecclesiastical

adjective
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ec·​cle·​si·​as·​ti·​cal | \ i-ˌklē-zē-ˈa-sti-kəl How to pronounce ecclesiastical (audio) , e-ˌklē- \

Definition of ecclesiastical

1 : of or relating to a church especially as an established institution
2 : suitable for use in a church
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Other Words from ecclesiastical

ecclesiastically \ i-​ˌklē-​zē-​ˈa-​sti-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce ecclesiastically (audio) , e-​ˌklē-​ \ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for ecclesiastical

Synonyms

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Examples of ecclesiastical in a Sentence

ecclesiastical laws that have been in existence for centuries
Recent Examples on the Web Carey's airy vocal runs throughout the track keep it exciting, while the backing choir cements the song's ecclesiastical core. — Billboard Staff, Billboard, "The 100 Greatest Mariah Carey Songs: Staff Picks," 5 Oct. 2020 The Plot to Destroy the Church from Within, Marshall launched himself into stardom as an ecclesiastical gadfly. — Nicholas Rowan, Washington Examiner, "'Fake Catholic': Trump ambassador to Catholics blasts Biden for positions on abortion and gay marriage," 17 Sep. 2020 He was known for his designs of Catholic churches and parish buildings, typically employing Romanesque ecclesiastical architecture, according to city staff reports. — Scott Huddleston, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio city staff, history advocates working to save 123-year-old house near Alamodome," 8 Sep. 2020 Its countryside is also peppered with ecclesiastical palaces illuminating the vast wealth and power of yesteryear. — Hollie Mckay, Fox News, "Who is Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, 'Europe’s Last Dictator'?," 18 Aug. 2020 To this, Klossowski adds a further level of mediation, suggesting that the ecclesiastical setting of The Suspended Vocation is also an allegory of France during the Nazi Occupation. — Ryan Ruby, The New York Review of Books, "Pierre Klossowski, Brilliant Brother of Balthus," 8 Aug. 2020 Plus, his acclaim emerged from the relatively small world of Latter-day Saint independent thinkers, rather than as a spiritual or ecclesiastical leader. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "LDS scholars mourn the death of a ‘generous’ groundbreaking sociologist who guided generations of Mormon academics," 4 Aug. 2020 Dickens was set to be buried in Rochester Cathedral, at the direction of the Dean and Chapter (the ecclesiastical governing body). — Leon Litvack, Smithsonian Magazine, "Even in Death, Charles Dickens Left Behind a Riveting Tale of Deceit," 5 Feb. 2020 And the angels, their hands in prayer, wings fluttering, call to mind the assumed whiteness of Jesus and other figures depicted in ecclesiastical sculpture. — Washington Post, "The Baltimore Museum of Art’s Screening Room is a dynamic new platform for artists and ideas," 1 July 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ecclesiastical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ecclesiastical

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for ecclesiastical

Middle English ecclesiasticall, from Late Latin ecclēsiasticus "of the Christian Church" + Middle English -all -al entry 1 — more at ecclesiastic entry 1

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Time Traveler for ecclesiastical

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The first known use of ecclesiastical was in the 15th century

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Last Updated

24 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Ecclesiastical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecclesiastical. Accessed 26 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for ecclesiastical

ecclesiastical

adjective
How to pronounce ecclesiastical (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of ecclesiastical

: of or relating to the Christian church or clergy

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More from Merriam-Webster on ecclesiastical

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ecclesiastical

Nglish: Translation of ecclesiastical for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of ecclesiastical for Arabic Speakers

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