holiness

noun ho·li·ness \ ˈhō-lē-nəs \

Updated on: 15 May 2018

Definition of holiness

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

His Holiness the Pope

2 : sanctification 2

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Examples of holiness in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of holiness from the Web

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
Mark was someone whose personal holiness shone out in every aspect of his life.

— ceylan yeginsu, New York Times, "Doubts Grow Over Archbishop’s Account of When He Knew of Abuse," 14 Oct. 2017
Making a commitment to pray the rosary daily also reminds us that prayer is outside of Mass is essential to growth in holiness.

— kathryn jean lopez, National Review, "Why the Rosary, Why Now?," 30 Sep. 2017

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.

First Known Use of holiness

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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holiness Synonyms

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

holiness

adjective, often capitalized

Definition of holiness

: 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