priesthood
noun
priest·hood
ˈprēst-ˌhu̇d 
ˈprē-ˌstu̇d
1
: the office, dignity, or character of a priest
2
: the whole body of priests
3
: elite sense 1
the priesthood of the art world
Synonyms
Examples of priesthood in a Sentence
an ancient civilization that was ruled by a priesthood
What is the influence of the priesthood in today's society?
Recent Examples on the Web
The mainstream church teaches that only men are endowed with priesthood power.
—
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 29 Sep. 2024
The Qunari military is exclusively composed of men, while women are expected to be craft makers and artisans, and the only gender-neutral niche is their priesthood.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 6 Sep. 2024
Born in 1948 to a Jewish mother and Methodist father, Simmons once considered the Catholic priesthood, but found his calling in converting Americans—especially those often cruelly excluded from the dominant fitness culture at the time—to exercise.
—Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, The Atlantic, 16 July 2024
La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, Italy's largest circulation dailies, both quoted the pope as using an Italian vulgarity when saying the country's seminaries, or priesthood colleges, were already full of homosexuals.
—Alvise Armellini, USA TODAY, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for priesthood 
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 29 Sep. 2024
The Qunari military is exclusively composed of men, while women are expected to be craft makers and artisans, and the only gender-neutral niche is their priesthood.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 6 Sep. 2024
Born in 1948 to a Jewish mother and Methodist father, Simmons once considered the Catholic priesthood, but found his calling in converting Americans—especially those often cruelly excluded from the dominant fitness culture at the time—to exercise.
—Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, The Atlantic, 16 July 2024
La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, Italy's largest circulation dailies, both quoted the pope as using an Italian vulgarity when saying the country's seminaries, or priesthood colleges, were already full of homosexuals.
—Alvise Armellini, USA TODAY, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for priesthood
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'priesthood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near priesthood
Cite this Entry
“Priesthood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priesthood. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
priesthood
noun
priest·hood
ˈprēst-ˌhu̇d
ˈprē-ˌstu̇d
1
: the office or dignity of a priest
2
: the whole group of priests
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