Meaning & use

priesthood

noun·Advanced

The position, office, or role of being a priest, or priests considered as a group.

See it in a sentence

He devoted years of study before finally being ordained into the priesthood.

The priesthood in that tradition has historically been open only to men.

A note on using this word

Priesthood can refer either to an individual's calling or, collectively, to all priests within a religious tradition.

Words with a similar meaning

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