ordain

[ awr-deyn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to invest with ministerial, priestly, or rabbinical functions.
2. to enact or establish by law, edict, etc.:

   to ordain a new type of government.

3. to decree; give orders for:

   He ordained that the restrictions were to be lifted.

   Synonyms: determine, prescribe, order

4. (of God, fate, etc.) to destine or predestine:

   Fate had ordained the meeting.

   Synonyms: predetermine

verb (used without object)

1. to order or command:

   Thus do the gods ordain.

2. to select for or appoint to an office.
3. to invest someone with sacerdotal functions.

ordain

/ ɔːˈdeɪn /

verb

1. to consecrate (someone) as a priest; confer holy orders upon
2. may take a clause as object to decree, appoint, or predestine irrevocably
3. may take a clause as object to order, establish, or enact with authority
4. obsolete.
   to select for an office

Derived Forms

• orˈdainment, noun
• orˈdainer, noun

Other Words From

• or·dain·a·ble adjective
• or·dain·er noun
• or·dain·ment noun
• re·or·dain verb (used with object)
• self-or·dain·er noun
• su·per·or·dain verb (used without object)
• un·or·dain·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ordain¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English ordeinen, from Old French ordener, from Latin ordināre “to order, arrange, appoint”; ordination

Word History and Origins

Origin of ordain¹

C13: from Anglo-Norman ordeiner, from Late Latin ordināre, from Latin ordo order

Example Sentences

While there are women bishops, there are also male bishops who are allowed to refuse to ordain women.

From BBC

Smyth was a prominent barrister as well as a lay preacher - a member of the congregation who delivers sermons but is not ordained - who ran summer camps for young Christians.

From BBC

Dr Bray said he first became interested in deliverance 27 years ago, when he was ordained.

From BBC

Currently the Catholic Church only allows men to become deacons - ordained ministers who can officiate baptisms, weddings and funerals but not mass, unlike priests.

From BBC

Of course, Trump and his collaborators will be exempted from all religious proscriptions and mandates because whatever he does is, by definition, divinely ordained, which has always been the case for his followers.

From Salon

Related Words

• anoint
• appoint
• bless
• consecrate
• elect
• enact
• nominate