holy order

noun

often capitalized H&O
1
a
: major order
usually used in plural
b
: one of the orders of the ministry in the Anglican or Episcopal church
2
: the rite or sacrament of ordination
usually used in plural

Examples of holy order in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the years since our hero left for the land of Big Ben, his surrogate-momma bear has settled down in the Home for Retired Bears, located deep in the jungles of Peru and run by a holy order of nuns. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025 Someone not in holy orders might call it hell on earth. Tom Gliatto, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024 Pope Francis reaffirmed the Catholic Church's doctrine that women are not able to receive holy orders. Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 26 Oct. 2023 No foofaraw: Of course a cleric—in Chih’s case, one who belongs to a holy order tasked with traveling the land and collecting stories—wouldn’t concern themself with gender. Wired Staff, Wired, 29 Sep. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of holy order was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Holy order.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holy%20order. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

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