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

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 Our present culture turns the phrase upside down, worshiping outward appearance and the holiness of beauty. — David Roper, idahostatesman, "We are as God made us — beautiful inside and out | Idaho Statesman," 26 Jan. 2018 Priestliness was associated with holiness and cleanliness and being ready to present to the gods. — Luke O'neil, Esquire, "Your Beard Is Saying a Lot More Than You Think," 20 Jan. 2016

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.