ordination
C1Formal, Religious
Definition
Meaning
The ceremony or process of formally appointing someone as a priest, minister, or rabbi.
Formal authorization or induction into any office or order; the arrangement or classification of things in a series or according to a plan.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in religious contexts, but can extend metaphorically to formal induction or systematic arrangement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. Usage is identical, though frequency may be higher in regions with established state churches.
Connotations
Strongly associated with Christian (especially Anglican/Catholic/Protestant) and Jewish religious traditions in both regions.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English due to the established Church of England.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
ordination of [person]ordination as [title]ordination into [order/office]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “take holy orders (related idiom for the process leading to ordination)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically for a formal induction into a senior role.
Academic
Used in theology, religious studies, and history departments.
Everyday
Used when discussing religious life events of friends/family who are clergy.
Technical
Specific liturgical and canonical term in ecclesiology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The bishop will ordain him next Sunday.
- She was ordained in Canterbury Cathedral.
American English
- The seminary ordained fifteen new pastors.
- He was ordained as a Methodist minister.
adverb
British English
- The bishop spoke ordinately (rare).
- The service proceeded ordinately (rare).
American English
- He was ordained properly.
- The process was conducted ordinately (rare).
adjective
British English
- The ordination rite is ancient.
- They attended an ordination retreat.
American English
- The ordination ceremony was powerful.
- She completed her ordination papers.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- His ordination was a big day for his family.
- The priest had an ordination.
- After years of study, her ordination finally took place.
- Only bishops can perform the ordination of priests.
- The ordination of women remains a contentious issue in some denominations.
- He travelled to Rome to attend his brother's ordination into the priesthood.
- The theological implications of sacramental ordination were debated at the council.
- Her ordination was contingent upon the approval of the diocesan synod.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'ORDER-nation' – it's about being brought into a religious ORDER.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY IS A FORMAL APPOINTMENT; SPIRITUAL JOURNEY IS A CEREMONIAL PATH.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'ординация' (a rare medical/statistical term). The closest Russian religious term is 'рукоположение'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'ordaination'
- Using it as a verb (the verb is 'to ordain')
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'ordination' primarily used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is also used for rabbis in Judaism and sometimes for other formal religious inductions, though it is most common in Christianity.
'Ordination' typically refers to the act of making someone a clergy member (priest, deacon). 'Consecration' is broader and can mean making something sacred (like a church) or specifically ordaining a bishop.
No, the verb form is 'to ordain'. 'Ordination' is only a noun.
Very rare. It is almost exclusively a religious term. Metaphorical secular use (e.g., 'ordination into the academy') is highly formal and uncommon.