saint

1 of 2

noun

ˈsānt 

 before a name  (ˌ)sānt,

 or  sənt

1

: one officially recognized especially through canonization as preeminent for holiness

—abbreviation St.

2

a

: one of the spirits of the departed in heaven

b

: angel sense 1a

3

a

: one of God's chosen and usually Christian people

b

capitalized : a member of any of various Christian bodies

specifically : latter-day saint

4

: one eminent for piety or virtue

5

: an illustrious predecessor

saintdom

ˈsānt-dəm 

noun

saintlike

ˈsānt-ˌlīk 

adjective

saint

2 of 2

verb

ˈsānt 

sainted; sainting; saints

transitive verb

: to recognize or designate as a saint

specifically : canonize

Examples of saint in a Sentence

Noun

He was declared a saint in the fifth century.

The salesperson was a saint for putting up with them.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Book shrines are elaborate containers made to hold sacred books often associated with saints, and only eight from medieval Ireland are known to exist today. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 July 2025

Canonized as a saint by Pope Francis in 2016, Mother Teresa urged Catholics to dedicate themselves to service. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025

Verb

Francis, now retired in the Sierra foothills, is quite mindful of the Carter narrative– lousy president, sainted ex-president — and reacted to its mention in a tone that mixed weariness with resignation. —Mark Barabak, The Mercury News, 1 Jan. 2025

Francis, now retired in the Sierra foothills, is quite mindful of the Carter narrative — lousy president, sainted ex-president — and reacted to its mention in a tone that mixed weariness with resignation. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French seint, saint, from Late Latin sanctus, from Latin, sacred, from past participle of sancire to make sacred — more at sacred

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing saint

• have the patience of a saint
• patron saint
• plaster saint
• saint's day
• the patience of a saint

Rhymes for saint

• faint
• feint
• maint
• paint
• plaint
• quaint
• taint
• acquaint
• complaint
• constraint
• distraint
• enceinte

Kids Definition

saint

1 of 2 noun

ˈsānt 

 when a name follows  (ˌ)sānt,

 or  sənt

1

: a holy and godly person

especially : one who is declared to be worthy of special honor

2

: a person who is very good especially about helping others

saint

2 of 2 verb

ˈsānt 

: canonize