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ordain

[awr-dayn] / ɔrˈdeɪn /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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“The power to ‘define a crime and ordain its punishment’ is an exclusively legislative function,” the justices wrote.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 11, 2024

"Dr Mawhinney's comments ignore the fact that it has been the policy of the Presbyterian Church to ordain women to eldership for almost a century, and to the ministry for exactly fifty years," it continued.

From BBC ● Mar. 2, 2023

It happened in the wake of Saddleback’s determination as an autonomous local church to ordain female ministers — not as senior pastors of the church, but as associate ministers of the church.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 26, 2023

It also acknowledged the need to train more Afaan Oromo speaking priests and agreed to ordain more ethnic Oromos among high ranking clergy, it said in a statement.

From Reuters ● Feb. 16, 2023

Having had their final test the evening before, there was nothing left but to ordain them.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

For now, the government seems confident that experts can indeed devise a safe, rigorous and consistent system for deciding which patients live and which ones die, as the statute ordains.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 16, 2021

Some are even considering leaving the Catholic Church to join other communities, including a movement that ordains women priests.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 7, 2021

It also suggested that future appointments might be influenced by a bishop's views on women clergy, saying that "many dioceses will want to insist that their diocesan bishop should be someone who ordains women".

From Reuters ● May 24, 2013

Her writing has always been hostile to the idea of a primitive, “natural” womanhood that ordains us to behave in certain ways.

From Slate ● Apr. 25, 2012

I bent above each one, and gently said: ‘Wake from your sleep: no more sweet slumber. Come, we sail: the Lady Kirke so ordains it.’

From "The Odyssey" by Homer

The Chosen Ones Espenson cites are part of a destiny ordained either by their bloodline or some greater lineage.

From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026

Oakley was born in Stourbridge, West Midlands, and ordained as a priest in 1980 before becoming Bishop of Northampton in 2020.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

On Tuesday, the San Diego County district attorney’s office announced its decision to pursue capital punishment against Leticia McCormack, who was an ordained elder and youth minister at a San Diego church.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

I know many wondered in 1976 whether it was an auspicious time to become a priest, just as Mr. McGurn asks whether now is an auspicious time to be ordained.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

“I’m not entirely surprised. Once you’re ordained, I will happily have you take his place.”

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

In 1988, Pope John Paul II issued a similar appeal to that of Pope Leo but failed to stop the society from ordaining bishops.

From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026

In 1787-91, Americans dramatically strengthened their union by ordaining a new-minted document, the Constitution, which repeatedly referred to American citizenship.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2025

And finally, in 1787, one of the declared objects for ordaining and establishing the ”Constitution” was "to form a more perfect Union."

From Salon ● Dec. 16, 2023

Saddleback began ordaining women in 2021 and in May appointed Katie Edwards as campus pastor of its flagship Lake Forest location.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 13, 2023

That is the order of things by which the Josephite reorganization was brought into existence; that is, the lesser ordaining the greater!

From Succession in the Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by B. H. Roberts


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