saint

1 of 2

noun

ˈsānt How to pronounce saint (audio)
 before a name  (ˌ)sānt,
 or  sənt
1
: one officially recognized especially through canonization as preeminent for holiness
abbreviation St.
2
a
: one of the spirits of the departed in heaven
3
a
: one of God's chosen and usually Christian people
b
capitalized : a member of any of various Christian bodies
specifically : latter-day saint
4
: one eminent for piety or virtue
5
: an illustrious predecessor
saintdom noun
saintlike adjective

saint

2 of 2

verb

sainted; sainting; saints

transitive verb

: to recognize or designate as a saint
specifically : canonize

Examples of saint in a Sentence

Noun He was declared a saint in the fifth century. The salesperson was a saint for putting up with them.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The Vatican condemned the video, which featured the stigmata-rocking superstar engaged in dirty thoughts about a saint, causing Pepsi to cancel its sponsorship deal. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024 Their figures range from very small bulls to giant ones, to figures of saints and imaginary animals known as alebrijes. Fernanda Pesce and Alexis Triboulard, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2024 Dozens of candles bearing the images of saints emitted a warm yellow light onto the sidewalk. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024 Valentine was declared a saint by the church sometime later. Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 13 Feb. 2024 Songwriters, agents, managers, prison matrons, nuns, saints, satins, dresses, spotlights, doorsteps, songs, drugs—all white. Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 Related article Former Australian PM hails George Pell as a ‘saint’ as funeral of controversial cardinal sparks protests Pell was found guilty, but his conviction was later overturned on appeal by Australia’s High Court. Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024 Discalced Carmelites were established in 1562 by St. Teresa of Avila, with current nuns taking their example from the Spanish saint. Emma Colton, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2024 Based on several ancient saints (perhaps as many as four different religious people), the day came to be associated with courtly love in the Middle Ages, and still later came to be associated primarily with cards, chocolates and roses. Jeff Burkhart, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024
Verb
Charismatic in life, she was sainted in death,’’ Goodyear wrote. Steven Litt, cleveland, 22 Feb. 2020 There are so many people to saint but first and foremost are the volunteer fire departments who responded to the fire. Sainted & Tainted Writers, Twin Cities, 13 July 2019 In 2000, Nicholas, his wife, and children were sainted by the Russian Orthodox church. Nancy Bilyeau, Town & Country, 25 Apr. 2017 Feed My Starving Children is to be sainted for its work — people working to feed people. Sainted & Tainted Writers, Twin Cities, 17 June 2017 MOUNT SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY, Los Angeles Jocelin Mata, Santa Ana High School Major: nursing, $ Why this school? Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 15 June 2017 The average number of carries in a season for a lead Saints back is roughly half (175) the total Peterson was used to getting in Minnesota. Jeff Duncan, NOLA.com, 19 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'saint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French seint, saint, from Late Latin sanctus, from Latin, sacred, from past participle of sancire to make sacred — more at sacred

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of saint was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near saint

Cite this Entry

“Saint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saint. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

saint

1 of 2 noun
ˈsānt How to pronounce saint (audio)
 when a name follows  (ˌ)sānt,
 or  sənt
1
: a holy and godly person
especially : one who is declared to be worthy of special honor
2
: a person who is very good especially about helping others

saint

2 of 2 verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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