holy oil

noun

: olive oil blessed by a bishop for use in a sacrament or sacramental

Examples of holy oil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Archbishop of Canterbury will conduct the coronation service, during which Charles will be anointed with holy oil, presented with royal ceremonial objects like the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross and Sovereign's Orb, and crowned with the St. Edward's Crown. Catherine Garcia, The Week, 2 May 2023 There will be no exceedingly heavy bejeweled crowns, no anointing of the monarch with holy oil behind a screen. Karla Adam, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2024 The monarch swears an oath to uphold both the law and the Church of England, and the Archbishop anoints the monarch with holy oil. Conor Murray, Forbes, 6 May 2023 The couple was presented with royal regalia and anointed with holy oil, and the monarch swore an oath to uphold the law and the Church of England. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 6 May 2023 And the holy oil used to anoint him, which typically contains a substance found in whale intestines, was animal-free. Ivy Scott, BostonGlobe.com, 6 May 2023 The ceremony, which will see the Archbishop of Canterbury place a crown on the King’s head and anoint him with holy oil, will take around two hours followed by a parade back to Buckingham Palace. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 5 May 2023 Charles will be crowned, enthroned, handed various scepters and swords, receive various oaths of allegiance, and anointed in holy oil that was consecrated in Jerusalem itself. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 5 May 2023 Charles is expected to be anointed with holy oil by the Archbishop of Canterbury, given the royal robe, orb, ring and septre, before the St. Edward’s Crown is placed on his head. Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'holy oil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of holy oil was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near holy oil

Cite this Entry

“Holy oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holy%20oil. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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