CEFR C1

ordain

verb

Meaning

To officially make someone a priest, minister, or other religious leader through a special ceremony.

Examples

The bishop will ordain three new deacons at the service on Sunday.
She felt a strong calling to serve and was eventually ordained as a pastor.

Synonyms: consecrate, appoint, install, commission

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ordain (C1)

verb

Pronunciation: /ɔːrˈdeɪn/

Definition

To officially make someone a priest, minister, or other religious leader through a special ceremony.

Examples

The bishop will ordain three new deacons at the service on Sunday.
She felt a strong calling to serve and was eventually ordained as a pastor.
Only men can be ordained as priests in some traditional denominations.

How to Use ordain

ordain (someone) as (role) (prepositional phrase): To officially appoint someone to a religious role. — "The church decided to ordain her as their new pastor."
ordain that (clause) (collocation): To decree or command that something should happen. — "The rules ordain that all members must attend the annual meeting."

Synonyms of ordain

Words with a similar meaning to ordain:

Antonyms of ordain

Words with the opposite meaning to ordain:

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