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 Buddhist teachers emphasize Buddha’s teachings of mindfulness over relic veneration, creating different approaches to these sacred objects across various sects. —Deepa Bharath, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026

Of the plaques eventually placed in San Antonio, most are expected sites for veneration, commemorating personalities of the Spanish Colonial or Texas Revolutionary periods, with others recognizing later famous residents, such as Robert E. Lee and author O. Henry. —Paula Allen, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Jan. 2026

Two of his followers were the parents of Kim Il Sung, and Cheng tracks how a family’s faith and American proselytizing became the roots of Kimilsungism, the ideology elevating the rulers of North Korea to a nearly deified state of veneration. —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026

The removal of the skull, according to study authors, signifies an act of remembrance, social memory, and ancestral veneration. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 4 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for veneration

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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