consecrate

play

adjective con·se·crate \ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkrāt\

Definition of consecrate

: dedicated to a sacred purpose

Examples of consecrate in a Sentence

the consecrate gold tablets which Joseph Smith claimed to have found

Origin and Etymology of consecrate

see ²consecrate

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

consecrate

verb con·se·crate

Definition of consecrate

consecrated

;

consecrating

transitive verb
1 : to induct (a person) into a permanent office with a religious rite; especially : to ordain to the office of bishop
2a : to make or declare sacred; especially : to devote irrevocably to the worship of God by a solemn ceremony consecrate a churchb : to effect the liturgical transubstantiation of (eucharistic bread and wine)c : to devote to a purpose with or as if with deep solemnity or dedication
3 : to make inviolable or venerable principles consecrated by the weight of history

consecrative

play \ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkrā-tiv\ adjective

consecrator

play \ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkrā-tər\ noun

consecratory

play \ˈkän(t)-si-krə-ˌtȯr-ē, -ˌkrā-tə-rē\ adjective

See consecrate defined for English-language learners

See consecrate defined for kids

Examples of consecrate in a Sentence

a philanthropist who consecrated his considerable fortune to an array of charitable causes
plans to consecrate the altar in the new church with great ceremony

Recent Examples of consecrate from the Web

The diocese of Lansing has consecrated seven virgins.

— ann zaniewski, charlotteobserver, "Married to Jesus: Women make lifelong virginity pledge," 5 July 2017
But by the year 1139, as more women were joining religious orders, bishops stopped consecrating virgins who weren’t part of those orders.

— ann zaniewski, charlotteobserver, "Married to Jesus: Women make lifelong virginity pledge," 5 July 2017
But by the year 1139, as more women were joining religious orders, bishops stopped consecrating virgins who weren't part of those orders.

— ann zaniewski, USA TODAY, "Married to Jesus: Women make lifelong virginity pledge," 29 June 2017
The diocese of Lansing has consecrated seven virgins.

— ann zaniewski, Detroit Free Press, "Married to Jesus: Metro Detroit women make lifelong virginity pledge," 28 June 2017
But by the year 1139, as more women were joining religious orders, bishops stopped consecrating virgins who weren't part of those orders.

— ann zaniewski, Detroit Free Press, "Married to Jesus: Metro Detroit women make lifelong virginity pledge," 28 June 2017
Katherine Jefferts Schori, then presiding bishop of the national church, had presided at the ceremony in which Cook was consecrated as bishop.

— jonathan m. pitts, baltimoresun.com, "Parole hearing for former Bishop Heather Cook set for this morning," 9 May 2017
Katharine Jefferts Schori, then presiding bishop of the national church, had presided at the ceremony in which Cook was consecrated as bishop.

— jonathan m. pitts, Washington Post, "Early parole rejected for Md. woman who pleaded guilty in drunk-driving case," 9 May 2017
That September, Katherine Jefferts Schori, then presiding bishop of the national church, presided at the ceremony during which Cook was consecrated as bishop.

— jonathan m. pitts, baltimoresun.com, "Former bishop Heather Cook's parole hearing set for Tuesday," 8 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'consecrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of consecrate

Middle English, from Latin consecratus, past participle of consecrare, from com- + sacrare to consecrate — more at sacred

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of consecrate

devote, dedicate, consecrate, hallow mean to set apart for a special and often higher end. devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective. devoted his evenings to study dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose. dedicated her life to medical research consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality. consecrate a church to the worship of God hallow, often differing little from dedicate or consecrate, may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity. battlegrounds hallowed by the blood of patriots

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

CONSECRATE Defined for English Language Learners

consecrate

verb

Definition of consecrate for English Language Learners

: to officially make (something, such as a place or building) holy through a special religious ceremony
: to officially make (someone) a priest, bishop, etc., through a special religious ceremony