Definition of pastoral
1a (1) : of, relating to, or composed of shepherds or herdsmen a pastoral people, seminomadic in their habits — J. M. Mogey (2) : devoted to or based on livestock raising a pastoral economyb : of or relating to the countryside : not urban a pastoral settingc : portraying or expressive of the life of shepherds or country people especially in an idealized and conventionalized manner pastoral poetry a pastoral symphonyd : pleasingly peaceful and innocent : idyllic pastoral dreams were shattered by the year's round of … unwelcome visitors, ruinous floods and procrastinating workmen — Betty Fussell
2a : of or relating to spiritual care or guidance especially of a congregation pastoral counselingb : of or relating to the pastor of a church pastoral duties
pastoralness
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Examples of pastoral in a Sentence
The house is situated in a charming pastoral setting.
Her favorite painting in the collection is a pastoral landscape.
The bishop outlined the church's views in a pastoral letter.
Origin and Etymology of pastoral
Middle English, from Latin pastoralis, from pastor herdsman
Definition of pastoral
1a : a literary work (such as a poem or play) dealing with shepherds or rural life in a usually artificial manner and typically drawing a contrast between the innocence and serenity of the simple life and the misery and corruption of city and especially court lifeb : pastoral poetry or dramac : a rural picture or scened : pastorale 1a
2 : crosier 1
3 : a letter of a pastor to his charge: such asa : a letter addressed by a bishop to his dioceseb : a letter of the house of bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church to be read in each parish
Origin and Etymology of pastoral
see 1pastoral
Other Literature Terms
PASTORAL Defined for English Language Learners
pastoral
playDefinition of pastoral for English Language Learners
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: of or relating to the countryside or to the lives of people who live in the country
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: of or relating to the spiritual care or guidance of people who are members of a religious group
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: of or relating to the pastor of a church
PASTORAL Defined for Kids
pastoral
playDefinition of pastoral for Students
1 : of or relating to peaceful scenes of the countryside
2 : of or relating to the pastor of a church
Learn More about pastoral
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pastoral Spanish Central: Translation of pastoral Nglish: Translation of pastoral for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pastoral for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pastoral
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