veneration

noun

ven·​er·​a·​tion ˌve-nə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: respect or awe inspired by the dignity, wisdom, dedication, or talent of a person

2

: the act of venerating

3

: the condition of one that is venerated

Examples of veneration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But in Kyiv, my Ukrainian aunt Vita immediately thought of Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement The Russian President has long made the veneration of World War II the central tenet of Russia’s national idea. —Sasha Vasilyuk, Time, 8 May 2025

To the modern secular mind, the veneration of relics suggests a fetishistic obsession with death. —Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025

The Vatican has announced that St. Mary Major Basilica will remain open for public veneration of Francis' tomb for the next several weeks, allowing pilgrims to pay their respects. —Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025

Francis' may be moved to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning for the veneration of the faithful, Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said, according to the Vatican News, adding that final plans would be communicated on April 22. —Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English veneracioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French veneratiun, borrowed from Latin venerātiōn-, venerātiō "act of soliciting the good will (of a deity), demonstration of respect or awe," from venerārī "to solicit the good will of (a deity), hold in awe, venerate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for veneration

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

veneration

noun

ven·​er·​a·​tion ˌven-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act of venerating : the state of being venerated

2

: a feeling of deep respect