Definition of ordain
transitive verb
1 : to invest (see 1invest 1) officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority was ordained as a priest
2a : to establish or order by appointment, decree, or law : enact we the people … do ordain and establish this Constitution — U.S. Constitutionb : destine, foreordain It is futile to try to avoid what destiny has ordained.
intransitive verb
: to issue an order so the gods have ordained
ordainer
nounExplore M-W
Examples of ordain in a Sentence
She is an ordained minister.
The process was ordained by law.
Recent Examples of ordain from the Web
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The federal government had in fact set the table for the whole thing by ordaining that Native Americans weren’t competent to manage such wealth.
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This matchup has seemed ordained since James walked off the court in Oakland last June, having delivered his native northeast Ohio its first major team championship since 1964.
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While some players seem destined to be big leaguers because of talent and reputation, Harper’s path was never pre-ordained.
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The 25-year-old was ordained as a priest the day before.
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And all this was either pre-ordained or a glorious coincidence, because Sgt.
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By the time he was ordained years later, the Second Vatican Council had convened.
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Only question is whether the new, bad rules are ordained by Hasbro.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ordain'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of ordain
Middle English ordeinen, from Anglo-French ordener, ordeiner, from Late Latin ordinare, from Latin, to put in order, appoint, from ordin-, ordo order
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Christian Religious Terms
ORDAIN Defined for English Language Learners
ordain
playDefinition of ordain for English Language Learners
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: to officially make (someone) a minister, priest, rabbi, etc.
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: to officially establish or order (something)
ORDAIN Defined for Kids
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