English Reference
Adjective

ecclesiastical

adj.
C1 Advanced US /ɪˌkɫiziˈæstɪkəɫ/ UK /ɪklˌiːzɪˈæstɪkəl/ ec·cle·si·as·ti·cal

adj.relating to the Christian church or its priests. You use this word to describe things like church laws, history, or styles of building.

adj.relating to the Christian Church or its clergy. Often used to describe institutional, legal, or architectural aspects of religious organizations.


SIMPLE

The museum has a large collection of ecclesiastical art.

CONTEXTUAL

The architect specialized in ecclesiastical design, focusing on the restoration of medieval cathedrals and parish churches.

COMPLEX

The historian argued that ecclesiastical power in the Middle Ages was not merely spiritual but also functioned as a significant political force across Europe.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun.

The ecclesiastical sculpture in rural Konotopie was consecrated by a local bishop in a ceremony on Saturday, a day chosen to coincide with the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

BBC News· 16 Aug 2026

Both ecclesiastical and royal power were centered here for many years.

Phys.org· 14 Aug 2026

From Middle English ecclesiasticall, ecclesiasticalle, from Latin ecclēsiasticus + -al. By surface analysis, ecclesiastic + -al or ecclesiast + -ical.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin ecclēsiasticus
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated