priesthood
- 01 C1 Advanced
the position or job of being a priest.
the office, status, or tenure of a priest. Often used with the definite article to denote the professional state.
Simple“He decided to enter the priesthood after years of working as a teacher.”
In context“After a long period of spiritual reflection, he felt a profound calling to the priesthood and began his formal theological training.”
Synonymsministryholy orders - 02 C1 Advanced
all the priests in a particular religion or area considered as one group.
the collective body of priests within a specific religious tradition or geographical region.
Simple“The local priesthood met to discuss how to help the poor in their city.”
In context“The reform was met with significant resistance from the established priesthood, who feared a loss of traditional influence over the congregation.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
the power or right to act in the name of God.
the spiritual authority or power believed to be conferred by the divine to perform sacred rites.
Simple“In their tradition, only those with the priesthood can perform the ceremony.”
In context“The doctrine emphasizes that the priesthood is not merely a social role but a divine mandate to mediate between the sacred and the profane.”
From Middle English presthed, presthede, presthod, presthode, from Old English prēosthād (“priesthood”), equivalent to priest + -hood. Compare Dutch priesterheid (“priesthood”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.