ordain

/ɔːˈdeɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /ɔːrˈdeɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /ȯr-ˈdān/ (ame, mw)

ordain — verb

  • ordainpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • ordainshe / she / it
  • ordainedpast simple
  • ordaining-ing form

1. to give someone official religious authority by making them a priest, minister,

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to give someone official religious authority by making them a priest, minister, rabbi, or similar leader in a formal ceremony

例句

The bishop ordained Kenji as a priest in a crowded cathedral on Sunday.

ordain + somebody + as + priest

After years of study, the church ordained Rania and sent her to a village parish.

after training, the church ordains a new leader

同義詞
  • appoint

    a broader formal word that also works for secular roles and may involve no ceremony

  • consecrate

    more strongly emphasizes making someone or something sacred

  • install

    focuses on putting someone into a role, often after they have already been chosen

反義詞
  • defrock

    to remove a priest from office; much rarer and strongly negative

文法句型

ordain + somebody + as + priest / minister / rabbi

be ordained

ordain + somebody + in a religious ceremony

用法筆記

Usually used for giving someone an official religious role, not for choosing a person for an ordinary job. Common patterns are ordain somebody, ordain somebody as a priest or minister, and be ordained.

常見錯誤

❌The hospital ordained Nila as director.
✅The hospital appointed Nila as director.
💡ordain is for giving religious office, not ordinary jobs.
❌Mira was ordained from the seminary last June.
✅Mira graduated from the seminary last June.
💡finishing study is not the same as receiving holy orders.

2. if God or an authority ordains something, they formally decide, command, or set

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

if God or an authority ordains something, they formally decide, command, or set it so that it must happen

例句

The new constitution ordained that every child should attend school.

ordain + that-clause

The bishop said God had ordained a day of prayer after the flood.

God as subject of ordain

同義詞
  • decree

    the closest formal word, often used for rulers, courts, or governments

  • command

    broader and less ceremonial, often used for direct personal orders

  • prescribe

    formal and rule-like, especially for laying down what must be done

文法句型

ordain + that-clause

ordain + rule / action / period

be ordained by + authority

用法筆記

Highly formal and most common in religious, legal, or historical writing. It often introduces a that-clause for rules, or a noun phrase for an officially required action or period.

常見錯誤

❌My dad ordained that I wash the dishes.
✅My dad told me to wash the dishes.
💡ordain is far too formal for an ordinary family order.
❌The coach ordained a new warm-up drill.
✅The coach introduced a new warm-up drill.
💡ordain suggests sacred or official authority, not routine team decisions.