Skip to main content

ordain — to officially make someone a priest or religious minister

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to officially make someone a priest or religious minister

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɔːrˈdeɪn/

Example Sentences

  • My grandmother always said fate ordained that we would meet at the coffee shop where we both spilled our drinks.
  • The school rules ordain that students must wear matching socks, which is oddly specific.
  • She was ordained as a minister after years of theological study.

ordain

VERB

[/ɔːrˈdeɪn/]

to officially make someone a priest or religious minister

The bishop solemnly ordains the young priest in the cathedral.
💡 Concept

The bishop solemnly ordains the young priest in the cathedral.

Through the rain and pain, he's ordained to gain!
🎵 Rhyme

Through the rain and pain, he's ordained to gain!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɔːrˈdeɪn/
🇬🇧 UK/ɔːˈdeɪn/

🌳Etymology

Rootordin
Suffix--ain

Origin

Derived from Latin 'ordinare', meaning originally 'to set in order' or 'to arrange in a line'. The word acquired religious significance in medieval times, when the Church adopted it to describe the systematic process of appointing clergy to sacred office.

Breakdown

ordin- (order, arrangement) + -are (Latin infinitive verb ending), literally 'to put in order'.

🎵Rhyme

rain
pain
gain
main

🔗Collocations

ordain a priest
ordain a minister
divinely ordained
ordain by law
God ordains
formally ordained

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My grandmother always said fate ordained that we would meet at the coffee shop where we both spilled our drinks.”

😄 Fun example

“The school rules ordain that students must wear matching socks, which is oddly specific.”

“She was ordained as a minister after years of theological study.”

“The constitution ordains the separation of powers in government.”

📚Related Words

Want to master 27,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.