consecrated

adjective

con·​se·​crat·​ed ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkrā-təd How to pronounce consecrated (audio)
: having been consecrated: such as
a
: inducted into a permanent office with a religious rite
Three hours later she went forth from the abbey, amid the greatest rejoicing, a crowned and consecrated Queen.Harry Boardman
especially : ordained to the office of bishop
newly consecrated bishops
b
: made or declared sacred
… a legend which tells of how a one-day supply of consecrated oil which the Maccabees used for the re-dedication of the desecrated Temple lasted for eight days until more could be obtained.World Religions
This week the Vatican issued a directive not to scatter the ashes of loved ones after cremation … . Remains of loved ones should be spread only in consecrated graveyards or holy places specifically dedicated to this purposeMandy Johnston
especially : devoted irrevocably to the worship of God by a solemn ceremony
a consecrated church
Sister Carol said that throughout her 50 years in consecrated life [life as a religious], she has always tried to minister with joy. St. John Valley Times (Madawaska, Maine)
c
of Eucharistic bread and wine : transubstantiated by liturgical rite
the consecrated host
Foremost among them, from the orthodox point of view, was the tradition of the Eucharist, the sacramental bread and wine, each consecrated particle and drop of which, according to the doctrine of concomitance, contained within it the whole body and blood of Christ …Mitchell B. Merback

Examples of consecrated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Diving is a consecrated art, but Key struggles with her competing desire to contribute her research to the Museum of Human Memory instead of the temple in which she was raised. Natalie Zutter june 30, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025 Churches are fine, but consecrated Earth is dangerous to them. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 June 2025 Until her late 20s, Isabella had never even considered a consecrated life. Lamorna Ash, The Dial, 6 May 2025 However, the oil miraculously burned for eight days until new consecrated oil could be found. Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for consecrated

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of consecrated was in 1549

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Cite this Entry

“Consecrated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consecrated. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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