first estates

noun

plural of first estate
as in clergies
the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church a nation in which the first estate had long held a privileged position

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for first estates
churches
Noun
  • Russia has bombed churches, museums, libraries, schools and archives.
    — Lidia Pilecky, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • During Kenya’s transition to self-governance from colonial rule, the extensive network of Christian schools and medical institutions established by churches provided education and health care.
    — Stephanie TriplettAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of churches
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.

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first estate
first estates
firsthand
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Cite this Entry

“First estates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first%20estates. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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