sacrament

noun

sac·​ra·​ment ˈsa-krə-mənt 

1

a

: a Christian rite (such as baptism or the Eucharist) that is believed to have been ordained by Christ and that is held to be a means of divine grace or to be a sign or symbol of a spiritual reality

b

: a religious rite or observance comparable to a Christian sacrament

2

capitalized

a

: communion sense 2a

b

: blessed sacrament

3

: something likened to a religious sacrament

saw voting as a sacrament of democracy

Examples of sacrament in a Sentence

They stood in line to receive the Sacrament.

Recent Examples on the Web

The 10-year-old siblings received the sacrament at the Monaco Cathedral. —Jillian Frankel, People.com, 12 May 2025

The pope’s ancestor had received her first sacrament in the same font that is still in the back of the church. —Rick Rojas, New York Times, 10 May 2025

Sunday Mass is a place for Catholics to participate in the sacraments, strengthen their faith and build relationships with other Catholics. —Maureen K. Day, The Conversation, 7 May 2025

The liturgy will use holy oils used in sacraments throughout the year that have been blessed as priests of the diocese renew priestly promises. —Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sacrement, sacrament, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin sacramentum, from Latin, oath of allegiance, obligation, from sacrare to consecrate

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

sacrament

noun

sac·​ra·​ment ˈsak-rə-mənt 

1

: a religious act that is a sign or symbol of a spiritual existence

2

capitalized : blessed sacrament

sacramental

ˌsak-rə-ˈment-ᵊl

adjective

sacramentally

-ᵊl-ē

adverb