1. the office, position, or profession of being a priest
2. the body or class of priests collectively

Examples

• Many different priesthoods exist across various religious traditions.
• The Catholic priesthood requires years of theological study.
• Ancient priesthoods held significant political power in their societies.
• She studied the roles of priesthoods in early civilizations.
• The priesthoods of different denominations have varying requirements.
• Local priesthoods often serve as community leaders.
• Historical priesthoods maintained temples and conducted rituals.