diaconate

noun

di·​ac·​o·​nate dī-ˈa-kə-nət How to pronounce diaconate (audio)
-ˌnāt,
dē-
Synonyms of diaconatenext
1
: the office or period of office of a deacon or deaconess
2
: an official body of deacons

Examples of diaconate 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.
He was ordained to the diaconate in 1971 and to the priesthood in 1972. — Bryan Marquard, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2023 Brignac pleaded to be let into the diaconate. — David A. Hammer, NOLA.com, 16 Dec. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diaconate was circa 1751

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Cite this Entry

“Diaconate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diaconate. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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