ordain

verb

UK/ɔːˈdeɪn/
US/ɔːrˈdeɪn/

Definitions of ordain verb

religion

  1. TransitiveUsually passive

    to officially make someone a priest or other religious leader through a formal religious ceremony

    • He received his ordination as a priest at Ely Cathedral in 1987.

    • She was ordained as the first female priest in the parish.

    • After many years of study, he was finally ordained as a deacon.

authority

  1. Transitiveformal

    to order or decree something to happen by virtue of authority or divine power

    • The government has ordained that all citizens must comply with the new law.

    • It seemed to be ordained that they would be together.

    • The committee ordained that a thorough investigation of the area must take place.