ordain

verb

or·​dain ȯr-ˈdān How to pronounce ordain (audio)
ordained; ordaining; ordains

transitive verb

1
: to invest (see invest entry 2 sense 1) officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority
was ordained as a priest
2
a
: to establish or order by appointment, decree, or law : enact
we the people … do ordain and establish this ConstitutionU.S. Constitution
b
: 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 noun
ordainment noun

Examples of ordain in a Sentence

She is an ordained minister. The process was ordained by law.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Craig was ordained as a Baptist preacher, a calling that would prove pivotal not only in his spiritual community but also in Kentucky's civic and economic development, then a rugged territory of the United States. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 But highly damaged Mark, whose upbringing was evidently a nightmare of abuse, has found salvation, or at least escape: He’s ordained himself a servant of the Lord, holding improvisational services in the prison chapel to a paltry flock. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 20 June 2025 Pope Leo was ordained in 1981 and is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine. Mark Guarino, ABC News, 14 June 2025 It is not ordained that a currency and a nation will hold its place at the center of commerce. Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ordain

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ordain was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ordain. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

ordain

verb
or·​dain ȯr-ˈdān How to pronounce ordain (audio)
1
: to make a person a Christian minister or priest by a special ceremony
2
a
: decree entry 2
it was ordained by law
b
: destine sense 1
we seem ordained to fail

More from Merriam-Webster on ordain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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