sainthood

noun

saint·​hood ˈsānt-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce sainthood (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being a saint
2
: saints as a group

Example Sentences

because of his years of dedicated service to the church, they considered him a perfect example of sainthood
Recent Examples on the Web What's next for sainthood In order for Casey to be canonized, a second miracle needs to be recorded and documented at the Vatican following the beatification. Marina Johnson, Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. 2023 The profiles of women of the cloth include Mother Mary Lange, a candidate for sainthood who in 1829 founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence in Baltimore. Donna M. Owens, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2023 Benedict may never prompt the same wide public calls for sainthood as his predecessor, but for many Catholics he is deeply mourned. Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2023 Yet Benedict also offended some Jews who were incensed at his constant defense of and promotion toward sainthood of Pope Pius XII, the World War II-era pope accused by some of having failed to sufficiently denounce the Holocaust. Arkansas Online, 1 Jan. 2023 Yet Benedict also offended some Jews who were incensed at his constant defense of and promotion toward sainthood of Pope Pius XII, the World War II-era pope accused by some of having failed to sufficiently denounce the Holocaust. Dallas News, 31 Dec. 2022 Yet Benedict also offended some Jews who were incensed at his constant defense of and promotion toward sainthood of Pope Pius XII, the World War II-era pope accused by some of having failed to sufficiently denounce the Holocaust. Time, 31 Dec. 2022 Yet Benedict also offended some Jews who were incensed at his constant defense of and promotion toward sainthood of Pope Pius XII, the World War II-era pope accused by some of having failed to sufficiently denounce the Holocaust. Nicole Winfield, Anchorage Daily News, 31 Dec. 2022 Yet Benedict also offended some Jews who were incensed at his constant defense of and promotion toward sainthood of Pope Pius XII, the World War II-era pope accused by some of having failed to sufficiently denounce the Holocaust. The Salt Lake Tribune, 31 Dec. 2022 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sainthood was in 1550

Dictionary Entries Near sainthood

Cite this Entry

“Sainthood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sainthood. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

sainthood

noun
saint·​hood ˈsānt-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce sainthood (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being a saint
2
: saints as a group

More from Merriam-Webster on sainthood

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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