1. the office, position, or profession of a priest
2. priests collectively as a group or class

Examples

• He felt called to the priesthood from a young age.
• She decided to enter the priesthood after college.
• The priesthood has faced many challenges in recent years.
• Members of the priesthood gathered for the annual conference.
• His ordination marked his official entry into the priesthood.
• The priesthood requires years of theological study and preparation.