noun
-
the state, order, or office of a priest
-
priests collectively
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of priesthood
before 900; Middle English presthed ( e ), presthod ( e ), Old English prēosthād. See priest, -hood
Explanation
Priesthood is the position of a religious leader, especially one in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, or Orthodox church. The word is also used to collectively describe all priests. In some churches, priests are the clergy members who lead worship services and perform religious rituals. The word priesthood is often used to talk about them as a whole: "The Catholic priesthood is reserved for men, while women can serve as nuns." An individual priest might define his own priesthood as focused on serving the poor in his community. Priesthood is from priest and its Greek root meaning "elder," and -hood, "state or condition of being."
Vocabulary lists containing priesthood
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Burgis withdrew from seminary after realizing the priesthood wasn’t his calling, but he remains a devout Catholic whose faith centers his academic work in entrepreneurship.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
An old friend’s son joyfully joins the Catholic Church’s dwindling priesthood.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
By Friday, tens of thousands of people of all ages, including several from the priesthood, braved the heat to participate in the occasion.
From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2026
Where Frank veered into a life of teaching, Chris continued his path into the priesthood.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2025
They passed on their control and privileges to their children, creating a hereditary priesthood: counselors to kings, if not kings themselves.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
