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.David Goldstein
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.
Visitors who have had their fill of the beach can explore the Port Aransas Museum and Chapel on the Dunes, the oldest consecrated church on Mustang Island. Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025 But there is more: a little way back from the water, knuckle-like boulders of sandstone or some other friable rock sharpen the ambience of a consecrated space. Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 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 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consecrated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consecrated. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on consecrated

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!