ecclesiastical

adjective

ec·​cle·​si·​as·​ti·​cal i-ˌklē-zē-ˈa-sti-kəl 

e-ˌklē-

1

: of or relating to a church especially as an established institution

2

: suitable for use in a church

ecclesiastically

i-ˌklē-zē-ˈa-sti-k(ə-)lē 

e-ˌklē-

adverb

Synonyms

• churchly
• ecclesial
• ecclesiastic

Examples of ecclesiastical in a Sentence

ecclesiastical laws that have been in existence for centuries

Recent Examples on the Web

By Caroline Reilly October 25, 2024 When Suzie Davies began preparations to create the ecclesiastical world for Edward Berger’s papal thriller, Conclave, she was immersed in a decidedly different world: that of Saltburn. —Caroline Reilly, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Oct. 2024

The rooms feel austere and indulgent, while Italian flea market finds rub shoulders with bespoke pieces crafted with an ecclesiastical bent. —Paul Jebara, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2024

Palo has many churches brimming with ecclesiastical art; like the Baroque Chiesa del Purgatorio, originally built for the parish’s aristocrats, according to Angela Coscia, a local culture expert. —Catherine Sabino, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

The ecclesiastical loopholes that explain her choices are less important than the unheeded despair that compels her to make them in the first place. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ecclesiasticall, from Late Latin ecclēsiasticus "of the Christian Church" + Middle English -all -al entry 1 — more at ecclesiastic entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ecclesiastical

adjective

ec·​cle·​si·​as·​ti·​cal ik-ˌlē-zē-ˈas-ti-kəl 

e-ˌklē-

variants or ecclesiastic

-tik

: of or relating to a church

ecclesiastical history

ecclesiastically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb