novitiate

noun

no·vi·tiate | \ nō-ˈvi-shət,

nə-\

Definition of novitiate

1 : the period or state of being a novice

2 : a house where novices are trained

3 : novice

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about novitiate

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Examples of novitiate in a Sentence

a novitiate in the rarefied world of international diplomacy, the recently appointed ambassador is treading cautiously

Recent Examples on the Web

At 18, Sally considers going off to Chicago to become a novitiate, so as to subvert her mother’s more conventional plans for her. — Helen Klein Ross, WSJ, "Five Best: Helen Klein Ross on Multigenerational Sagas," 1 Nov. 2018 His scholarly, somber demeanor reflected a background as a former Benedictine novitiate and college professor. — Terence Mcardle, Washington Post, "Eugene McCarthy vs. LBJ: The New Hampshire primary showdown that changed everything 50 years ago," 12 Mar. 2018 The decisive moment comes during one of the most mesmerizing sections of the novel, when Sally takes an overnight train from New York’s old Penn Station to Chicago to enter the novitiate. — Maureen Corrigan, WSJ, "Salvation and Self-Sacriﬁce," 15 Sep. 2017

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