ordination

[ awr-dn-ey-shuhn ]

noun

1. Ecclesiastical. the act or ceremony of ordaining.
2. the fact or state of being ordained.
3. a decreeing.
4. the act of arranging.
5. the resulting state; disposition; arrangement.

ordination

/ ˌɔːdɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. 1. the act of conferring holy orders
   2. the reception of holy orders
2. the condition of being ordained or regulated
3. an arrangement or order

Other Words From

• nonor·di·nation noun
• postor·di·nation adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ordination¹

1350–1400; Middle English ordinacioun < Late Latin ōrdinātiō ordainment, Latin: a putting in order, appointment, equivalent to ōrdinā(re) to order, arrange (derivative of ōrdō, stem ōrdin-, order) + -tiō -tion

Example Sentences

Feminism, gay rights and the Vietnam War fueled additional discord, with more traditionalist congregants opposing the ordination of female priests and reacting furiously to mainline Protestant leaders who advocated from the pulpit.

From Salon

“Because I am not nor cannot be in pastoral ministry at this time in my life, I do not think reinstating my ordination is appropriate.”

From Seattle Times

Across the decades, there were many cases of ecclesiastical civil disobedience — clergy doing ordinations and marriages that defied church bans, some of whom were tried for heresy or other infractions.

From Seattle Times

United Methodist Church law still bans the ordination of “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” into ministry — a decades-old rule that will come up for a vote later this week.

From Seattle Times

The Rev. Tracy Cox, lead pastor of First United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh, said she’s cautiously hopeful for changes to the rules on ordination and marriage.

From Seattle Times