canonize
verb
can·on·ize
ˈka-nə-ˌnīz 
canonized
ˈka-nə-ˌnīzd
; canonizing
in "Hamlet" usually
kə-ˈnä-ˌnīzd
; canonizing
1
: to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saint
2
: to make canonical
3
: to sanction by ecclesiastical authority
4
: to attribute authoritative sanction or approval to
5
: to treat as illustrious, preeminent, or sacred
his mother had canonized all his timidities as common sense—
Scott Fitzgerald
Scott FitzgeraldExamples of canonize in a Sentence
She died 100 years ago and was canonized in Rome last year.
a singing star so canonized by his fans that they refuse to believe anything bad about him
Recent Examples on the Web
As the first Pontiff from the Americas, the Holy Father himself came on pilgrimage to the Basilica in 2015 to canonize Fray Junípero Serra, marking the first canonization on United States soil.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2025
Francis also canonized Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, Pope Paul VI and Pope John XXIII.
—Christine Rousselle, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Few artists become saints and no architect, in the modern understanding of the profession, has ever been canonized.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
But while a future saint has the power to challenge Church authority, a person cannot be canonized without it.
—Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonize
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Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2025
Francis also canonized Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, Pope Paul VI and Pope John XXIII.
—Christine Rousselle, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Few artists become saints and no architect, in the modern understanding of the profession, has ever been canonized.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
But while a future saint has the power to challenge Church authority, a person cannot be canonized without it.
—Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonize
Cite this Entry
“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canonize. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
canonize
verb
can·on·ize
ˈkan-ə-ˌnīz
canonized; canonizing
1
: to declare to be a saint and worthy of public respect
2
: to treat something as if it were sacred
canonization
noun
ˌkan-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən
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