ordain

verb

or·​dain ȯr-ˈdān How to pronounce ordain (audio)
ordained; ordaining; ordains

transitive verb

1
: to invest (see invest entry 2 sense 1) officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority
was ordained as a priest
2
a
: to establish or order by appointment, decree, or law : enact
we the people … do ordain and establish this ConstitutionU.S. Constitution
b
: destine, foreordain
It is futile to try to avoid what destiny has ordained.

intransitive verb

: to issue an order
so the gods have ordained
ordainer noun
ordainment noun

Examples of ordain in a Sentence

She is an ordained minister. The process was ordained by law.
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.
His old mentor called him from Atlanta — the same man who had helped him get ordained the year before. Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025 Alexander came to believe that God had ordained him to save Europe, and also all of humanity and Christianity. James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025 Friends suggested moving in with Geller; one of the first women ordained by the college, Geller had been offering her four-bedroom home to students since 2020. Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2025 They were married in front of 28 guests at San Francisco City Hall on Jan. 13 by Ms. Duncan’s cousin, Hayley Duncan, who was previously ordained by the Universal Life Church. Alix Wall, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ordain

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ordeinen, from Anglo-French ordener, ordeiner, from Late Latin ordinare, from Latin, to put in order, appoint, from ordin-, ordo order

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ordain was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Ordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ordain. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

ordain

verb
or·​dain ȯr-ˈdān How to pronounce ordain (audio)
1
: to make a person a Christian minister or priest by a special ceremony
2
a
: decree entry 2
it was ordained by law
b
: destine sense 1
we seem ordained to fail

More from Merriam-Webster on ordain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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