holy order
noun
often capitalized H&O
1
a
: major order
—usually used in plural
b
: one of the orders of the ministry in the Anglican or Episcopal church
2
: the rite or sacrament of ordination
—usually used in plural
Examples of holy order in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the years since our hero left for the land of Big Ben, his surrogate-momma bear has settled down in the Home for Retired Bears, located deep in the jungles of Peru and run by a holy order of nuns.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025
Someone not in holy orders might call it hell on earth.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024
Pope Francis reaffirmed the Catholic Church's doctrine that women are not able to receive holy orders.
—Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 26 Oct. 2023
No foofaraw: Of course a cleric—in Chih’s case, one who belongs to a holy order tasked with traveling the land and collecting stories—wouldn’t concern themself with gender.
—Wired Staff, Wired, 29 Sep. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025
Someone not in holy orders might call it hell on earth.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024
Pope Francis reaffirmed the Catholic Church's doctrine that women are not able to receive holy orders.
—Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 26 Oct. 2023
No foofaraw: Of course a cleric—in Chih’s case, one who belongs to a holy order tasked with traveling the land and collecting stories—wouldn’t concern themself with gender.
—Wired Staff, Wired, 29 Sep. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Holy order.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holy%20order. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share