ecclesiastic

[ ih-klee-zee-as-tik ]

noun

1. a member of the clergy or other person in religious orders.
2. a member of the ecclesia in ancient Athens.

adjective

1. ecclesiastical.

ecclesiastic

/ ɪˌkliːzɪˈæstɪk /

noun

1. a clergyman or other person in holy orders

adjective

1. of or associated with the Christian Church or clergy

Other Words From

• anti·ec·clesi·astic noun adjective
• nonec·clesi·astic adjective noun
• unec·clesi·astic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ecclesiastic¹

1475–85; < Late Latin ecclēsiasticus < Greek ekklēsiastikós. See Ecclesiastes, -ic

Example Sentences

“Assuming our right to decide and dissent with the ecclesiastic hierarchy allows us, as Catholics who embrace our faith, to make decisions in freedom and choose our own life project,” said activist Maribel Luna.

From Seattle Times

This “ecclesiastic public property” is “entrusted” to individual departments to use but is destined for the universal needs of the church to fulfill its mission, the law states.

From Seattle Times

The Vatican defended the extension by saying the agreement was purely ecclesiastic and pastoral in nature, and not political.

From Seattle Times

In the skies above, a Georgian Orthodox archbishop in full ecclesiastic regalia sat inside a helicopter clutching a framed icon.

From Washington Post

Nuns are obliged to wear their ecclesiastic clothes at all times.

From The Guardian