1
: of or relating to a priest or the priesthood : sacerdotal
2
: characteristic of or befitting a priest
priestliness
noun
Examples of priestly in a Sentence
He is a kind, priestly man.
majestically robed in priestly garments
Recent Examples on the Web
The southern tradition is rooted partly in a century-old revolt against the privileges granted to Brahmans, the priestly caste that sits at the top of Hinduism’s ancient social hierarchy.
—
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
Francis has long made prison ministry an important part of his priestly vocation and has made several visits to Rebibbia since becoming pope in 2013 while also including prison visits in many of his foreign trips.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Finally, Moses washes Aaron and his sons and actually dresses them in their priestly garments (29:4–9).
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2024
His priestly education continued with graduate-level study in philosophy, theology, and international development at Fordham.
—Jack Herrera, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for priestly 
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Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
Francis has long made prison ministry an important part of his priestly vocation and has made several visits to Rebibbia since becoming pope in 2013 while also including prison visits in many of his foreign trips.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Finally, Moses washes Aaron and his sons and actually dresses them in their priestly garments (29:4–9).
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2024
His priestly education continued with graduate-level study in philosophy, theology, and international development at Fordham.
—Jack Herrera, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for priestly
Dictionary Entries Near priestly
Cite this Entry
“Priestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priestly. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
priestly
adjective
priest·ly
ˈprēst-lē 
priestlier; priestliest
1
: of or relating to a priest or the priesthood
2
: characteristic of or suitable for a priest
priestliness
noun
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