veneration

noun

ven·​er·​a·​tion ˌve-nə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: respect or awe inspired by the dignity, wisdom, dedication, or talent of a person

2

: the act of venerating

3

: the condition of one that is venerated

Examples of veneration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some of his fans have been known to celebrate his new releases by pouring milk on cardboard images of the actor, an act of veneration usually reserved for Hindu deities. —Rhea Mogul, CNN, 11 Aug. 2023

The veneration had something, or almost nothing at all, to do with the piano. —Cynthia Ozick, The New Yorker, 24 July 2023

Helmut Kohl, a Jünger admirer, had just become chancellor, and the veneration of a martial icon was seen as a sign of political regression. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023

And while Xi enjoys greater popularity than his predecessor, the enthusiasm for his leadership remains a pale shade of the mass veneration that Mao once commanded. —Time, 16 June 2023

The Catholic veneration of saints who lived a life of monastic poverty is alien to this sensibility. —Ian Buruma, Harper's Magazine, 2 June 2023

His coaching, primarily of sprinters and hurdlers, has brought his athletes at least one gold medal in 10 consecutive Summer Olympics, a litany of world championships and world records and, for Kersee, veneration, criticism and influence. —Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2023

Okamoto links this to the change in societal values that has taken place in Japan since its era of rapid economic growth ended, and with it the veneration of a win-at-all-costs mindset. —Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2023

There was, indeed, something very medieval and very Catholic about the enormous respect, amounting almost to veneration, shown towards the late queen’s corporeal remains in their lead lined oak coffin. —Town & Country, 5 May 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English veneracioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French veneratiun, borrowed from Latin venerātiōn-, venerātiō "act of soliciting the good will (of a deity), demonstration of respect or awe," from venerārī "to solicit the good will of (a deity), hold in awe, venerate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

veneration

noun

ven·​er·​a·​tion ˌven-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act of venerating : the state of being venerated

2

: a feeling of deep respect