priesthood

noun

priest·​hood ˈprēst-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce priesthood (audio)
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
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.
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 Years passed and Bergoglio indeed opted for priesthood. Claudia Rebaza, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for priesthood

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of priesthood was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Priesthood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priesthood. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

priesthood

noun
priest·​hood ˈprēst-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce priesthood (audio)
ˈprē-ˌstu̇d
1
: the office or dignity of a priest
2
: the whole group of priests

More from Merriam-Webster on priesthood

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!