holiness

noun

ho·li·ness | \ ˈhō-lē-nəs

Definition of holiness

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the quality or state of being holy —used as a title for various high religious dignitaries His Holiness the Pope

2 : sanctification sense 2

holiness

adjective, often capitalized

Definition of holiness (Entry 2 of 2)

: emphasizing the doctrine of the second blessing specifically : of or relating to a perfectionist movement arising in U.S. Protestantism in the late 19th century

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Examples of holiness in a Sentence

Noun

the holiness of this sacred place known throughout the world for his holiness, the prophet was visited daily by hundreds of pilgrims

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Anita Raines, of the Conference’s National Advisory Council, said the council wants a code of conduct for bishops and a public recommitment to chastity and holiness. — Marisa Iati, The Seattle Times, "Bishops are conflicted about how they need to change to reduce sexual abuse," 13 Nov. 2018 Though the broader theme of Francis’s guidance to the Catholic Church was holiness, some scholars read the work as a response to his conservative critics. — James Hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Why Mark Zuckerberg is embracing more regulation of political ads on Facebook," 10 Apr. 2018 Pour out your blessings upon HARRY and MEGHAN, that they may be joined in mutual love and companionship, in holiness and commitment to each other. — Cnn Staff, CNN, "Full order of service for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle," 18 May 2018 On the great south lawn, guests gathered in groups, anxious to greet the new Jesuit in the family, with his new black habit and his new air of holiness. — John L’heureux, The New Yorker, "The Long Black Line," 14 May 2018 As a result, a very specific, ornate aesthetic came to be associated with (if not directly linked to) holiness. — refinery29.com, "Has Catholicism Earned This "Fashion" Moment?," 3 May 2018 The pope became the Catholic world’s most prominent model of holiness and a living embodiment of the church in the imagination of the faithful. — Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, "Even the Pope’s ‘Supreme’ Power Has Its Limits," 29 Apr. 2018 American photographer Thomas Laird spent 50 hours over 10 years with the Dalai Lama, and through all those candid conversations, one point stood out: Before his holiness could read, Tibetan murals were crucial to his early education. — Liesl Bradner, latimes.com, "The murals of Tibet, with an assist from the Dalai Lama," 26 Apr. 2018 On Monday, as the Hungarian leader basked in his victory, Pope Francis issued an apostolic exhortation on the subject of holiness. — Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, "The pope’s challenge to Orban and Europe’s far right," 10 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'holiness.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.