noun
Uncommon
priesthood
PREEST-huud
Priesthood (noun) means the office, role, or status of being a priest. Example: “He was called to the priesthood after years of theological study.”
noun
1
The office, role, or status of being a priest.
"He was called to the priesthood after years of theological study."
2
Priests considered together as a body or institution.
"The priesthood held considerable influence over medieval politics."
How to use priesthood
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the job/role of being a priest, or priests as a group.
Common pairings
enter the priesthood
ordained into the priesthood
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Word forms
- Plural
- priesthoods
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was called to the _____ after years of theological study.
Etymology
From Old English prēosthād, formed from priest plus -hood, the same suffix seen in "childhood."
Rhymes for priesthood
See all rhymes for priesthood →Frequently asked questions
What does “priesthood” mean?
The word “priesthood” means the office, role, or status of being a priest. In plain terms, either the job/role of being a priest, or priests as a group.
How do you pronounce “priesthood”?
“Priesthood” is pronounced PREEST-huud (/ˈpɹiːstˌhʊd/ in IPA).
How do you use “priesthood” in a sentence?
Here is “priesthood” used in a sentence: “He was called to the priesthood after years of theological study.”
What part of speech is “priesthood”?
“Priesthood” is a noun.
Where does the word “priesthood” come from?
The word “priesthood” comes from Old English. From Old English prēosthād, formed from priest plus -hood, the same suffix seen in "childhood.".
Is “priesthood” a common word?
“Priesthood” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “priesthood” have?
“Priesthood” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the office, role, or status of being a priest.
