noun
priesthood
PREEST-huud
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
Word Forms
priesthoods plural
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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."