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

Giltwood pricket sticks—large ecclesiastical candlesticks—are another of Waterworth’s favourites, as are miniature wall shelves for candles, flowers, or small sculptures. —Hannah Coates, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026

The standout craft element here is a powerful horror score by Hildur Gudnadottir that ranges from solemn, quasi-ecclesiastical passages to gut-churning, droning soundscapes. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026

Church doctrine cited The defendants had argued that the doctrine of ecclesiastical abstention should prevent the suit from moving forward. —Giles Hudson, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025

Rose Glass' directorial debut is an ecclesiastical horror that offsets the fine line between devotion and delusion, all while stirring the painful emotions of loneliness and trauma. —Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025

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