ecclesiastical

adjective

ec·​cle·​si·​as·​ti·​cal i-ˌklē-zē-ˈa-sti-kəl 

e-ˌklē-

1

: of or relating to a church especially as an established institution

2

: suitable for use in a church

ecclesiastically

i-ˌklē-zē-ˈa-sti-k(ə-)lē 

e-ˌklē-

adverb

Synonyms of ecclesiastical

• ecclesiastic
• religious
• papal

Examples of ecclesiastical in a Sentence

ecclesiastical laws that have been in existence for centuries

Recent Examples on the Web

These final days of Lent, constituting the most solemn season of the ecclesiastical year, will commemorate the passion and death of Christ. —From Staff Reports, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 2 Apr. 2026

The ecclesiastical equinox is fixed on March 21, even though the astronomical equinox can fall on a different date, such as March 20 in 2026. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026

With the creation of 15 additional dioceses in 2025, the church now boasts 176 dioceses and 14 ecclesiastical provinces across the country. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026

So, according to the current ecclesiastical rules, Easter is to be celebrated on April 5. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ecclesiastical

• fantastical

Kids Definition

ecclesiastical

adjective

ec·​cle·​si·​as·​ti·​cal ik-ˌlē-zē-ˈas-ti-kəl 

e-ˌklē-

variants or ecclesiastic

-tik

: of or relating to a church

ecclesiastical history

ecclesiastically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb