ordination

noun

or·​di·​na·​tion ˌȯr-də-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce ordination (audio)
: the act or an instance of ordaining : the state of being ordained

Examples of ordination in a Sentence

He is a candidate for ordination. After his ordination, he will be assigned to a local parish.
Recent Examples on the Web
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McElroy had been San Diego’s first-ever cardinal and gained national attention because of his more progressive stances on a range of hot-button issues, including support for the ordination of women. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025 And with that, the 75-year-old Pfleger decided to host an all-day event to honor the 50th anniversary of his ordination. Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025 But in 2023, while leading the Vatican bishops’ office, Prevost said at a Vatican news conference that the church had increasingly given women high-ranking jobs in the Vatican – but there was no changing the tradition that confers priestly ordination only on men. Eric Bradner, CNN Money, 9 May 2025 Advocates for women’s ordination were sending pink smoke signals over the Vatican to demand that women be allowed to be priests and participate in a conclave. Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ordination

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

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Cite this Entry

“Ordination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ordination. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

ordination

noun
or·​di·​na·​tion ˌȯrd-ᵊn-ˈā-shən How to pronounce ordination (audio)
: the act of ordaining : the state of being ordained
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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