Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

ordain

/ɔɹˈdeɪn/ verb

In Latin: scisco Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about ordain at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To prearrange unalterably.
To decree.
To admit into the ministry, for example as a priest, bishop, minister or Buddhist monk, or to authorize as a rabbi.

Origin

From Middle English ordeynen, from Old French ordiner, from Latin ordinare (“to order”), from ordo (“order”). Doublet of ordinate.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word