ordain
verb
or·dain ȯr-ˈdān 
ordained; ordaining; ordains
transitive verb
1
: to invest (see invest entry 2 sense 1) officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority
was ordained as a priest
2
a
: to establish or order by appointment, decree, or law : enact
we the people … do ordain and establish this Constitution 
U.S. Constitution
U.S. Constitution b
: destine, foreordain
It is futile to try to avoid what destiny has ordained.
intransitive verb
: to issue an order
so the gods have ordained
ordainer noun
ordainment
ȯr-ˈdān-mənt
noun 
Synonyms
- destine
- doom
- fate
- foredoom
- foreordain
- predestine
- predetermine
- preordain
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She is an ordained minister. The process was ordained by law.
Recent Examples on the Web Although Jonas had other prominent supporters, including Rabbi Leo Baeck, who later led a Nazi-era organization for German Jews, none would ordain her. New York Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Some 35 years later, Kate Kelly, a Washington, D.C., activist also was excommunicated — at the same Virginia meetinghouse as Johnson — for her advocacy in pushing to ordain women to the faith’s all-male priesthood. The Salt Lake Tribune, 6 Apr. 2022 The church did not routinely ordain Black men into the priesthood until 1978. Washington Post, 10 Jan. 2022 The leaders of the Anglican Episcopal Church meet in London to discuss the Episcopal Church USA’s vote to ordain an openly homosexual bishop. CNN, 19 Aug. 2021 Recent Timeline August 5, 2003 - The Episcopal Church USA, at its meeting for its General Convention in Minneapolis, votes to ordain Gene Robinson, who is openly gay, as bishop of New Hampshire. CNN, 19 Aug. 2021 Last month, the Vatican released a new penal code that specified automatic excommunication for any attempt to ordain a woman. Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, 16 July 2021 Shaloh House is planning to ordain eight additional rabbis this year, one for each stab wound Noginski suffered. BostonGlobe.com, 6 July 2021 Council members, during a June 21 Council finance committee hearing, raised concerns that such a costly upfront investment might pre-ordain the old juvenile facility as the final choice for the diversion center. Courtney Astolfi, cleveland, 28 June 2021 See More
New York Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Some 35 years later, Kate Kelly, a Washington, D.C., activist also was excommunicated — at the same Virginia meetinghouse as Johnson — for her advocacy in pushing to ordain women to the faith’s all-male priesthood. The Salt Lake Tribune, 6 Apr. 2022 The church did not routinely ordain Black men into the priesthood until 1978. Washington Post, 10 Jan. 2022 The leaders of the Anglican Episcopal Church meet in London to discuss the Episcopal Church USA’s vote to ordain an openly homosexual bishop. CNN, 19 Aug. 2021 Recent Timeline August 5, 2003 - The Episcopal Church USA, at its meeting for its General Convention in Minneapolis, votes to ordain Gene Robinson, who is openly gay, as bishop of New Hampshire. CNN, 19 Aug. 2021 Last month, the Vatican released a new penal code that specified automatic excommunication for any attempt to ordain a woman. Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, 16 July 2021 Shaloh House is planning to ordain eight additional rabbis this year, one for each stab wound Noginski suffered. BostonGlobe.com, 6 July 2021 Council members, during a June 21 Council finance committee hearing, raised concerns that such a costly upfront investment might pre-ordain the old juvenile facility as the final choice for the diversion center. Courtney Astolfi, cleveland, 28 June 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English ordeinen, from Anglo-French ordener, ordeiner, from Late Latin ordinare, from Latin, to put in order, appoint, from ordin-, ordo order
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
ordain
verb
or·dain ȯr-ˈdān
ordained; ordaining
1
: decree entry 2
It was ordained by law.
2
: to make a person a Christian minister or priest by a special ceremony
ordains
verb
1
as in destines
to determine the fate of in advance he is stoic in the face of adversity, bolstered by his faith that everything in life has been ordained by a higher power Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- destines
- dooms
- foreordains
- predestines
- preordains
- predetermines
- fates
- condemns
- predicts
- foredooms
- foretells
- presages
- prognosticates
- prophesies
- foresees
- augurs
- foreknows
- sentences
- anticipates
- portends
- divines
- forecasts
- prejudges
- predestinates
- bodes
- forebodes
- preconceives
- forbodes
2
as in orders
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority a new bill that would ordain the funding of public schools through state lottery revenues Synonyms & Similar Words
- orders
- decrees
- directs
- dictates
- requests
- mandates
- requires
- asks
- demands
- commands
- calls
- calls for
- petitions
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rescinds
- cancels
- countermands
3
as in enacts
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action the founders of the African republic ordained a form of government that was closely modeled on that of the United States Synonyms & Similar Words
- enacts
- passes
- approves
- legislates
- constitutes
- dictates
- makes
- ratifies
- authorizes
- permits
- decrees
- lays down
- proclaims
- executes
- effects
- administers
- allows
- sanctions
- reenacts
- confirms
- brings about
- repasses
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- repeals
- revokes
- abolishes
- kills
- invalidates
- cancels
- reverses
- rescinds
- abrogates
- nullifies
- annuls
- voids
- overturns