consecrate

adjective

con·se·crate | \ ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkrāt

Definition of consecrate

(Entry 1 of 2)

: dedicated to a sacred purpose

consecrate

verb

consecrated; consecrating

Definition of consecrate (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to induct (a person) into a permanent office with a religious rite especially : to ordain to the office of bishop

2a : 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

Other Words from consecrate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about consecrate

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Other Words from consecrate

Verb

consecrative \ ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkrā-tiv

\ adjective

consecrator \ ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkrā-tər

\ noun

consecratory \ ˈkän(t)-si-krə-ˌtȯr-ē

, -ˌkrā-tə-rē \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for consecrate

Verb

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

Examples of consecrate in a Sentence

Adjective

the consecrate gold tablets which Joseph Smith claimed to have found

Verb

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 on the Web: Verb

Some of that outrage has been directed at Farrell, who was consecrated as a bishop by McCarrick in 2001 and served as his vicar general in the archdiocese of Washington until McCarrick’s 2006 retirement. — Nicole Winfield, The Seattle Times, "US Vatican cardinal: “Not once did I even suspect” McCarrick," 31 July 2018 Some of that outrage has been directed at Farrell, who was consecrated as a bishop by McCarrick in 2001 and served as his vicar general in the archdiocese of Washington until McCarrick's 2006 retirement. — Nicole Winfield, Fox News, "US Vatican cardinal: "Not once did I even suspect" McCarrick," 31 July 2018 That same year, Vekselberg paid a million dollars to transport 17 Russian church bells from Harvard University back to Moscow, where they were later consecrated by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in a lavish ceremony. — Washington Post, "Who is Viktor Vekselberg, the Russian billionaire linked to Michael Cohen?," 9 May 2018 To get inside was to be baptized, consecrated, canonized. — New York Times, "Why Early ’80s New York Matters Today," 17 Apr. 2018 The Fourth of July is a holiday consecrated in meat smoke. — Emily Dreyfuss, WIRED, "In Defense of the Vegan Hot Dog," 4 July 2018 In Avignon, Pope Clement VI consecrated the Rhône river. — Anne Thériault, Longreads, "Queens of Infamy: Joanna of Naples," 3 July 2018 Calvary Cemetery, which was consecrated in 1857, is home to two Civil War Medal of Honor recipients. — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Historical marker honoring Civil War veterans at Calvary Cemetery to be dedicated on Gettysburg anniversary," 29 June 2018 Appeals to scripture become a way to baptize our bigotries and consecrate our callousness. — Jonathan L. Walton, Time, "Why Authoritarians Love to Quote This Bible Passage," 22 June 2018

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.