priesthood

[preest-hood]

noun

1. the condition or office of a priest.

2. priests collectively.

Other Word Forms

• antipriesthood adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of priesthood¹

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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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".

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