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

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consecrate Synonyms

Synonyms

blessed (also blest), holy, consecrated, hallowed, sacral, sacred, sacrosanct, sanctified

Antonyms

deconsecrated, desacralized, unconsecrated, unhallowed

Related Words

adored, enshrined, glorified, revered, venerated, worshipped (also worshiped); ceremonial, liturgical, priestly, religious, ritual, sacramental, spiritual; biblical, scriptural

Near Antonyms

nonreligious, unspiritual; earthly, mundane, profane, secular, temporal, worldly

Other Christian Religious Terms

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

consecrate

verb

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

2 a :to make or declare sacred; especially :to devote irrevocably to the worship of God by a solemn ceremony

consecrate a church

b :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

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consecrative

play \ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkrā-tiv\ adjective

—

consecrator

play \ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkrā-tər\ noun

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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

By honoring Confederate leaders in the Capitol, Southern legislatures consecrated the white-supremacist regimes that had reconquered the South after Reconstruction.

— matt ford, The Atlantic, "The Statues of Unliberty," 14 Aug. 2017
However, for those who have consecrated themselves to the priestly rites of Donald Trump’s cult of personality, McMaster’s staffing changes constitute nothing short of blasphemy.

— ian tuttle, National Review, "H. R. McMaster Is Not the Enemy," 3 Aug. 2017
And shortly after, Rodman was consecrated as the 12th bishop for a diocese with 50,000 members spread across 111 congregations and 10 campus ministries in 38 counties.

— dan kane and tim funk, charlotteobserver, "Episcopal Church in central NC gets new bishop," 15 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
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
Along with wooden and bronze vessels, weapons and other objects consecrated to the gods, there was also an edible waxy substance made out of dairy or meat.

— christian als, Smithsonian, "Europe’s Famed Bog Bodies Are Starting to Reveal Their Secrets," 2 May 2017
The court said Friday that bishops who consecrate an openly gay bishop were considered in violation of Methodist law and also subject to church discipline.

— rachel zoll, The Seattle Times, "Methodist court ruling a blow for openly lesbian bishop," 28 Apr. 2017
A cross was added to the pagan Egyptian obelisk in front of the entrance and the Pantheon was renamed Santa Maria ad Martyres when it was consecrated as a Christian church in 609.

— christine van blokland, USA TODAY, "Take Me Away: The wonders of Rome’s Pantheon," 26 Apr. 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

consecrate Synonyms

Synonyms

allocate, devote, dedicate, earmark, give up (to), reserve, save, set by

Antonyms

deconsecrate, desacralize, desanctify

Related Words

bless, hallow, sanctify; commit, confide, consign, entrust (also intrust); apply, bestow, employ, use

Near Antonyms

ignore, neglect; misapply, misuse

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