priesthood

American  

[preest-hood] / ˈprist hʊd /

noun

1. the condition or office of a priest.

2. priests collectively.

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Other Word Forms

• antipriesthood adjective

Etymology

Origin of priesthood

before 900; Middle English presthed ( e ), presthod ( e ), Old English prēosthād. See priest, -hood

Example Sentences

Comte’s Religion of Humanity had a priesthood of experts and a science-worshipping liturgy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Where Frank veered into a life of teaching, Chris continued his path into the priesthood.

From Los Angeles Times

Typically, it’s an arcane and extremely nerdy process that occurs once a decade, after the census, and mainly draws attention from a small priesthood of line-drawing experts and political obsessives.

From Los Angeles Times

By 1991, the Diocese of Sheffield had fast-tracked Brain's route to the priesthood, allowing him to become ordained after just two years, instead of the usual four.

From BBC

He says Bishop Snow told him the process to begin his training for priesthood – something he decided he wanted to pursue – would be "slowed down".

From BBC