consecrate

adjective con·se·crate \ ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkrāt \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: consecrate in a Sentence

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

consecrate Synonyms

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

—

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

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
Wat Pra Keo, home to the Emerald Buddha, is part of the palace complex and was consecrated in 1782, the first year of rule from Bangkok.

— antonia neubauer, Town & Country, "How to Plan a Trip to Asia," 5 Oct. 2016
The Katy Rotary Club dedicated and consecrated the Memorial Tower on Sept. 11, 2015.

— staff report, Houston Chronicle, "Memorial Tower ceremony honors veterans, 9/11 victims," 30 May 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.

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

consecrate Synonyms

Synonyms

bless, hallow, sanctify;

Antonyms

deconsecrate, desanctify;

Near Antonyms

defile, desecrate, profane;

dirty, foul, pollute, soil, taint, violate;

blaspheme, curse, cuss, damn, execrate;

cast out, condemn, damn, punish;

Related Words

baptize, canonize, spiritualize;

chasten, cleanse, purify;

exorcise (also exorcize), expurgate;

commit, dedicate, devote;

reconsecrate;

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