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

The Vatican ban was articulated in a 2005 document from the Congregation for Catholic Education, and later repeated in a subsequent document in 2016, which said the church cannot admit to seminaries or ordain men who “practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called gay culture.”

From Seattle Times

September 1979 Episcopal Church General Convention approves resolution saying it is “not appropriate for this church to ordain a practicing homosexual or any person who is engaged in heterosexual relations outside of marriage.”

From Seattle Times

“The power to ‘define a crime and ordain its punishment’ is an exclusively legislative function,” the justices wrote.

From Seattle Times

But first they would ordain, for a time, as a Buddhist monk and nun.

From New York Times

Related Words

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