: the act or an instance of ordaining : the state of being ordained

Examples of ordination in a Sentence

He is a candidate for ordination. After his ordination, he will be assigned to a local parish.
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.
Throughout his tenure at Fourth Church, Buchanan tackled all manner of controversial issues, including the ordination of gays and lesbians and conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians. Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025 Originally implemented in 1984, the ban on LGBTQ+ ordination encapsulated the broader conversation about LGBTQ+ rights in the nation’s largest mainline Protestant denomination. Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 1 May 2024 Pope Francis said in 2016 that the ban on women's ordination as priests is likely to remain in place forever, according to the National Catholic Reporter. Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025 Four days after the ordination policy change took effect, Cox petitioned the local United Methodist authority’s board of ordained ministry to reconsider her application for commissioning. David Farré, The Tennessean, 10 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for ordination 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near ordination

Cite this Entry

“Ordination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ordination. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

ordination

noun
: the act of ordaining : the state of being ordained
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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