diaconate
noun
di·ac·o·nate
dī-ˈa-kə-nət 
-ˌnāt,
dē-
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
The diaconate represents the Church’s third degree of holy orders, below the presbyterate, or priests, and episcopate, or bishops.
—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
5 Dec. 2025
Two commissions studying the question of women in the diaconate, keeping discernment alive even without doctrinal change.
—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
30 Nov. 2025
During the liturgical celebration, seminarian William O’Donnell, 25, will be ordained to the transitional diaconate.
—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
He was ordained to the diaconate in 1971 and to the priesthood in 1972.
—
Bryan Marquard,
BostonGlobe.com,
3 Sep. 2023
The role of female deacons likely ended in the 12th Century when the diaconate became a steppingstone to the priesthood, Stanton said.
—
Susan Degrane,
chicagotribune.com,
30 Mar. 2022
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.
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
5 Dec. 2025
Two commissions studying the question of women in the diaconate, keeping discernment alive even without doctrinal change.
—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
30 Nov. 2025
During the liturgical celebration, seminarian William O’Donnell, 25, will be ordained to the transitional diaconate.
—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
He was ordained to the diaconate in 1971 and to the priesthood in 1972.
—
Bryan Marquard,
BostonGlobe.com,
3 Sep. 2023
The role of female deacons likely ended in the 12th Century when the diaconate became a steppingstone to the priesthood, Stanton said.
—
Susan Degrane,
chicagotribune.com,
30 Mar. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Diaconate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diaconate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
