Definition of ECCLESIASTICAL (original) (raw)
1
: of or relating to a church especially as an established institution
2
: suitable for use in a church
Synonyms
Examples of ecclesiastical in a Sentence
ecclesiastical laws that have been in existence for centuries
Recent Examples on the Web 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 It was set up in 1704, when certain ecclesiastical taxes that had previously been paid to the Crown were diverted to supplement the income of poor clergy. —The Week Uk, theweek, 28 Apr. 2024 During the Revolution, about 20 of the Mays were dispersed when all ecclesiastical property was seized. —Lindsey Tramuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2024 The legitimization of the war by the Russian Orthodox Church is an extension of the years of ecclesiastical support for the Kremlin’s foreign policy gambits and nuclear assertiveness. —Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 19 May 2023 See all Example Sentences for ecclesiastical 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ecclesiastical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of ecclesiastical was in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near ecclesiastical
Cite this Entry
“Ecclesiastical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecclesiastical. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.
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Last Updated: 27 Jun 2024 - Updated example sentences
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