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

Other Word Forms

• ordainable adjective
• ordainer noun
• ordainment noun
• reordain verb (used with object)
• self-ordainer noun
• superordain verb (used without object)
• unordainable 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

Bishop Emily Onyango - the first woman ordained as a bishop in the Anglican Church of Kenya - called the news that Dame Sarah had been named Archbishop designate "a new dawn".

From BBC

Ramkalawan, an ordained Anglican priest who signed the deal with Qatar last year, is unrepentant.

From BBC

These challenges are presented as inevitable consequences of abandoning divinely ordained feminine roles – positioning religious tradwives’ messages as not merely personal opinions, but sacred truths.

From Salon

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

But it does show that, no matter what they say or what their Dear Leader may ordain, the overall goal is not coming off the menu.

From Salon

Related Words

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