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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
nounIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
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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When the palace allowed him to come back three years later — ostensibly to be ordained as a Buddhist monk but likely recalled by the government to help stem the spread of communism from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam — the movement reconvened.
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In December, the council approved the design for the street, including a portion of the road ordained with overhead festoon lights.
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Three years later he was ordained to priesthood at Augustinian College.
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A biologist who lectures at the University of Mississippi, Stratton was ordained on campus in 2016 in front of more than 200 people.
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According to a Vatican statement Wednesday, the three-day consultation touched on allowing local bishops’ conferences to make decisions about ordaining permanent deacons as priests.
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Iakovos ordained him, married him, baptized his children and eventually married them as well.
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The Rev. John Dolan, a San Diego native known for his pastoral work and sense of humor, will be ordained Thursday as the auxiliary bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego.
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Father Dudek professed his vows in 1946 and was ordained a priest in 1954.
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
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
Learn More about ordain
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ordain Spanish Central: Translation of ordain Nglish: Translation of ordain for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ordain for Arabic speakers
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