priesthood
gb/pɹˈisthʊd/ us/pɹˈisthʊd/
B2
English
~ 9100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
all priests as a group
All the priests in a particular religion, seen together as one group.
Usage pattern:
the priesthood of [religion/tradition]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *priesthood* when they mean a single *priest*. *Priesthood* refers to all priests as a group, or to the role or office in general, not to one person. Say "a priest" or "the priest" for an individual, and "the priesthood" for the group.
Synonyms
clergy (General term for all religious leaders, not only priests, but often used in a similar way when speaking about Christian traditions.)
Antonyms
laity (Refers to ordinary believers who are not priests or religious professionals, the opposite group to the priesthood.)
Collocations
the Catholic priesthood
|the Anglican priesthood
|within the priesthood
|members of the priesthood
|crisis in the priesthood
Themes
religion
|society
Examples
- There is growing concern about the aging Catholic priesthood in many countries.
- Women are not allowed to join the priesthood in that denomination.
- The reforms were strongly resisted by the conservative wing of the priesthood.
- He spent his life studying the history of the medieval priesthood.
- Scandals within the priesthood have damaged the church’s reputation.
Learner examples
- The priesthood in this church is all male.
- Many people in the priesthood live very simple lives.
- The new bishop wants to bring young people into the priesthood.
Noun
B2
state
2
office or vocation of a priest
The job and way of life of a priest.
Usage pattern:
enter the priesthood
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *enter the priesthood* with *enter the church*. *Enter the priesthood* means to become a priest, not just to start going to church. Also, do not say *be a priesthood*; say *be a priest* or *be in the priesthood*.
Synonyms
vocation (Emphasizes the sense of a religious calling or life purpose, not specifically tied to priests but often used for them.)
Antonyms
secular life (Refers to a non-religious way of life outside any formal religious office like the priesthood.)
Collocations
enter the priesthood
|join the priesthood
|consider the priesthood
|call to the priesthood
|train for the priesthood
Themes
religion
|work
Examples
- She thought seriously about the priesthood in her twenties.
- After years in business, he finally decided to enter the priesthood.
- His parents were surprised when he told them he wanted to leave the priesthood.
- The seminary prepares candidates for the priesthood through study and prayer.
- He describes the priesthood as a demanding but deeply rewarding life.
Learner examples
- He wants to enter the priesthood next year.
- Many people do not understand why she chose the priesthood.
- Some priests leave the priesthood and start a new life.
Noun
C1
entity
3
religious authority or power of priests
The special religious power and right that priests have to do holy actions.
Usage pattern:
hold the priesthood
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that in some groups *priesthood* means an abstract power or authority, not the people. In sentences like "He holds the priesthood," it is wrong to think it means he is holding a group of priests; it means he has priestly authority.
Synonyms
holy orders (In some Christian traditions, a technical term for the sacrament that gives this religious authority to clergy.)
Antonyms
lay status (Describes the condition of not having priestly authority and being an ordinary member of the religious community.)
Collocations
hold the priesthood
|ordained to the priesthood
|receive the priesthood
|exercise the priesthood
|hereditary priesthood
Themes
religion
|beliefs
Examples
- In their tradition, only men can hold the priesthood.
- He was ordained to the priesthood after many years of preparation.
- Debates about who may exercise the priesthood have divided the church.
- Some believers see the priesthood as a divine gift passed down through history.
- The movement challenged the idea that the priesthood should be limited to a small group.
Learner examples
- In this church, women cannot hold the priesthood.
- He received the priesthood when he was twenty-three.
- They believe the priesthood is a special power from God.
Noun
literary
C1
entity
4
powerful expert group (figurative)
A small, important group of experts who have a lot of power in some area, said in a figurative way.
Usage pattern:
the [field] priesthood
Common mistake:
Learners may think this use is always religious, but here *priesthood* is figurative. It does not mean real priests; it means a closed group of powerful experts. This use sounds more formal or literary and is not common in everyday conversation.
Synonyms
establishment (Refers to the powerful people who control a system; *priesthood* adds a sense of mystery and closed, expert culture.)
Antonyms
the masses (Represents ordinary people without special knowledge or influence, in contrast to a small, expert priesthood.)
Collocations
scientific priesthood
|legal priesthood
|academic priesthood
|political priesthood
|economic priesthood
Themes
society
|politics
|work
|business
Examples
- Critics say climate policy is still dominated by a narrow scientific priesthood.
- The language of tax law is so complex that it creates a kind of legal priesthood.
- Journalists complained that decisions were made by a secretive political priesthood in the capital.
- The technology priesthood often seems disconnected from ordinary users’ needs.
- He argued that economics should be opened up to citizens and not left to a priesthood of experts.
Learner examples
- Some people think a small scientific priesthood controls the debate.
- The rules are so hard that only a legal priesthood understands them.
- He says we should not let a priesthood of experts make every big decision.
Grammar
Dictionary form
priesthood
IPA
GB/pɹˈisthʊd/
US/pɹˈisthʊd/
Syllables & stress
priest - hood (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (priest)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: priesthood
- Plural: priesthood
Word family
Expressions
call to the priesthood
1/kˈɔl tə ðə pɹˈisthʊd/
fixed phrase
sense of vocation to be a priest
A strong feeling or belief that God wants a person to become a priest.
Examples
- He first felt a call to the priesthood as a teenager.
- Many candidates describe their call to the priesthood as both joyful and frightening.
enter the priesthood
1/ˈɛntɚ ðə pɹˈisthʊd/
fixed phrase
become a priest officially
To start a life as a priest, usually after formal training and a special religious ceremony.
Examples
- He decided to enter the priesthood after finishing university.
- Many people are surprised when young women say they want to enter the priesthood in that church.
hold the priesthood
1/hˈoʊld ðə pɹˈisthʊd/
fixed phrase
technical
possess priestly authority
To have official priestly authority in a religious group.
Examples
- In that church, only certain members are allowed to hold the priesthood.
- They debated whether women should be able to hold the priesthood.
join the priesthood
1/d͡ʒˈɔɪn ðə pɹˈisthʊd/
fixed phrase
start a career as a priest
To begin the work and way of life of a priest.
Examples
- She felt called to join the priesthood at an early age.
- Fewer young people are choosing to join the priesthood today.
priesthood of all believers
1/pɹˈisthʊd əv ˈɔl bɪlˈivɚz/
fixed phrase
technical
doctrine that all believers are priests
A Christian teaching that every believer has direct access to God and shares some spiritual duties like a priest, not only the official clergy.
Examples
- The reformers strongly defended the idea of the priesthood of all believers.
- For many Protestants, the priesthood of all believers is a central part of their faith.