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
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
Back in the 1980s, Nicanor Palacios was an altar boy with Leo during his early priesthood in nearby Piura, and traveled the area with him for services.
—
Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Robert Prevost’s path toward priesthood began at an early age.
—Eric Bradner, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
Long before the papacy, even before his first steps toward priesthood, for Jorge Mario Bergoglio – the boy who would go on to become Pope Francis – there was his hometown sports club, Buenos Aires’ San Lorenzo de Almagro.
—Carmen M. Nanko-Fernández, The Conversation, 9 May 2025
When Pope Francis convened Roman Catholic bishops at the Vatican in 2019 to discuss the ordination of married men in remote parts of South America, the meeting raised expectations about the possibility of revolutionizing the celibate priesthood.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priesthood
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Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Robert Prevost’s path toward priesthood began at an early age.
—Eric Bradner, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
Long before the papacy, even before his first steps toward priesthood, for Jorge Mario Bergoglio – the boy who would go on to become Pope Francis – there was his hometown sports club, Buenos Aires’ San Lorenzo de Almagro.
—Carmen M. Nanko-Fernández, The Conversation, 9 May 2025
When Pope Francis convened Roman Catholic bishops at the Vatican in 2019 to discuss the ordination of married men in remote parts of South America, the meeting raised expectations about the possibility of revolutionizing the celibate priesthood.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priesthood
Cite this Entry
“Priesthood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priesthood. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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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