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
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
This violence did little to deter upper-caste Hindus—namely Brahmins (the traditional priestly caste), Kshatriyas, (the warrior caste), and Banias (the trading caste)—from becoming BJP supporters.
—Hartosh Singh Bal, Foreign Affairs, 13 Apr. 2022
As a member of all the priestly colleges, the emperor was effectively the head of Roman religion as well as its chief priest.
—Mary Beard, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023
See all Example Sentences for priestly 
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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
This violence did little to deter upper-caste Hindus—namely Brahmins (the traditional priestly caste), Kshatriyas, (the warrior caste), and Banias (the trading caste)—from becoming BJP supporters.
—Hartosh Singh Bal, Foreign Affairs, 13 Apr. 2022
As a member of all the priestly colleges, the emperor was effectively the head of Roman religion as well as its chief priest.
—Mary Beard, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023
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 1 Dec. 2024.
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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