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Ordination Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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ordination

[ˌɔːdɪˈneɪʃən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

religious ceremony

The act of ordaining or consecrating someone as a priest, deacon, or minister in a religious ceremony.

Synonyms

consecration, installation, investiture.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ordination

Used when formally conferring holy orders upon someone, particularly in Christian traditions. It is often associated with the process of becoming a priest or deacon.

  • The ordination of the new priests will take place tomorrow.
  • She dreams of her son's ordination into the ministry.
consecration

Mainly used in religious contexts when something or someone is formally declared sacred, often associated with the ceremony of dedicating churches, altars, or religious artifacts.

  • The bishop led the consecration of the new church.
  • The consecration of the sacred chalice was a solemn event.
investiture

Used when someone is formally invested with authority, office, or rank, often in legal, academic, or chivalric contexts.

  • The investiture of the new knight was held at the royal palace.
  • The university hosted an investiture ceremony for its new chancellor.
installation

Typically used when someone is being formally placed into an office or position, not necessarily religious. Can be applied to both secular and religious positions.

  • The installation of the new CEO is scheduled for next week.
  • The installation ceremony for the new bishop was attended by many parishioners.

Examples of usage

  • The ordination of new priests took place at the cathedral.
  • She felt honored to be part of the ordination ceremony.
Context #2 | Noun

arrangement

The action of arranging or ordering things in a particular way.

Synonyms

arrangement, ordering, organization.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ordination

Typically used in religious or formal settings to refer to the process of conferring holy orders or formally appointing someone to a position of authority.

  • Tom's ordination as a priest took place in the grand cathedral.
  • The ordination ceremony was attended by family and friends.
arrangement

Commonly used to describe the action of organizing or setting something in a specific order. It can be informal and fit various situations such as decor, plans, or agreements.

  • She made an arrangement of flowers for the dining table.
  • We have an arrangement to meet at 6 PM.
ordering

Often used in contexts focusing on the sequence or priority of items. Can also refer to the act of placing orders in a commercial transaction.

  • The librarian is responsible for the ordering of the books on the shelves.
  • He spent the afternoon ordering new supplies for the office.
organization

Used to describe the act of arranging or structuring something in a systematic way. It often refers to complex systems such as businesses, events, or large tasks.

  • The organization of the event required months of planning.
  • She is known for her excellent organization skills at work.

Examples of usage

  • The ordination of the books on the shelf was by genre.
  • The ordination of the seating plan made the event run smoothly.
Context #3 | Noun

classification

The action of classifying or categorizing something.

Synonyms

categorization, classification, sorting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ordination

Used primarily in religious contexts to describe the process of being appointed to a religious position, such as a priest or minister.

  • The ordination ceremony was held in the grand cathedral.
  • After years of study, he finally reached ordination.
classification

Used when organizing or arranging items into groups or classes based on shared characteristics, often in scientific or academic contexts.

  • The scientist's work involved the classification of new species of plants.
  • Classification of the documents was necessary before archiving them.
categorization

Applied when organizing items or information into specific categories, typically for easier understanding or use.

  • The categorization of books in the library makes it easy to find what you're looking for.
  • Proper categorization of data helps in effective data analysis.
sorting

Commonly used when arranging items in a particular sequence or order, often based on a specific criterion such as size, color, or alphabetical order.

  • She was sorting the laundry by colors.
  • Sorting the files by date helps in locating the latest documents quickly.

Examples of usage

  • The ordination of the documents by date made it easier to find what we needed.
  • The ordination of the different species of birds was a challenging task.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word comes from the Latin 'ordinatio,' which means 'arrangement,' hinting at the importance of the role within a community.
  • The practice dates back to ancient civilizations where religious leaders were often appointed during ceremonies.
  • In Christianity, the first formal ordination is believed to have occurred in the early church, establishing a lineage of religious leadership.

Religious Significance

  • In many faiths, ordination involves laying on of hands, symbolizing the transfer of authority and blessing.
  • Different religions have varying rituals for ordination, such as the Catholic priesthood versus Buddhist monks.
  • Some religions allow women to be ordained, while others restrict this role to men, showcasing diverse beliefs about leadership.

Cultural Practices

  • Many cultures have similar ceremonies, signifying a transition or dedication to a particular life path, like marriage or coming of age.
  • In Indigenous communities, ordination-like ceremonies may involve extensive communal participation, highlighting collective values.
  • Unique local traditions often accompany the ordination process, such as specific songs, prayers, or gatherings.

Legal Aspects

  • In some countries, ordination gives individuals legal authority to perform marriages and other official functions.
  • Churches may have their own rules about who can be ordained, which can differ from state regulations.
  • Legal recognition of ordained leaders can influence the church's ability to own property and receive tax exemptions.

Modern Perspectives

  • Contemporary discussions about ordination often center around gender equality and inclusivity in religious leadership.
  • Online ordination has become popular, allowing people to be recognized as ministers without traditional seminary training.
  • Some denominations are exploring alternative forms of ordination to adapt to modern societal values and community needs.

Origin of 'ordination'

The word 'ordination' originated from the Latin word 'ordinatio', which means appointment to an office or rank. In the religious context, ordination has been a significant ritual in various faith traditions, symbolizing the formal authorization and consecration of individuals for specific roles within the religious community. Over time, the term has also evolved to denote the arrangement or classification of various things in a structured manner.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,157 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.