ordain

verb

or·​dain ȯr-ˈdān How to pronounce ordain (audio)
ordained; ordaining; ordains

transitive verb

1
: to invest (see invest entry 2 sense 1) officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority
was ordained as a priest
2
a
: to establish or order by appointment, decree, or law : enact
we the people … do ordain and establish this ConstitutionU.S. Constitution
b
: destine, foreordain
It is futile to try to avoid what destiny has ordained.

intransitive verb

: to issue an order
so the gods have ordained
ordainer noun
ordainment noun

Examples of ordain in a Sentence

She is an ordained minister. The process was ordained by law.
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.
Other information provided by the Archdiocese noted Reidy was ordained by Bishop Timothy J. Harrington at Saint Paul Cathedral in Worcester in 1994, and was assigned to St. Peter Parish in Worcester before becoming rector of Saint Paul Cathedral by Bishop Daniel P. Reilly. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2025 Figures like George Wallace, a Christian and proud segregationist, and Bob Jones Sr., founder of Bob Jones University, preached sermons arguing that segregation was divinely ordained. Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2025 Catholic natural law operates on the premise that humans are created in God’s image, and social order and domestic tranquility require that humans understand, accept and honor the qualities ordained by nature, especially the distinction between male and female. Peter H. Schwartz, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025 However, the International Monetary Fund has recently ordained some erosion of Bitcoin friendly laws in the country as a precondition for a $1.4 billion loan. Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ordain

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ordeinen, from Anglo-French ordener, ordeiner, from Late Latin ordinare, from Latin, to put in order, appoint, from ordin-, ordo order

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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

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Cite this Entry

“Ordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ordain. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

ordain

verb
or·​dain ȯr-ˈdān How to pronounce ordain (audio)
1
: to make a person a Christian minister or priest by a special ceremony
2
a
: decree entry 2
it was ordained by law
b
: destine sense 1
we seem ordained to fail

More from Merriam-Webster on ordain

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