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

The veneration of the catacomb saints during the late 17th and 18th centuries came at a time when vast stretches of Europe, including Bavaria, were still reeling from the Thirty Years’ War. —ABC News, 8 May 2026

The Virgin Mary and her immaculate conception were to be celebrated, and perhaps no other nation threw themselves into the veneration of Mary that year quite like the Irish. —Literary Hub, 8 May 2026

One of her manifestations, Our Lady of Guadalupe, is a popular figure of veneration in Mexico and Latin America, particularly among people of Indigenous descent. —Marie-Claire Beaulieu, The Conversation, 5 May 2026

Although its primary teachings refer to the Bible, the Kimbanguist Church is distinguished by its veneration of Kimbangu as the Black embodiment of the Holy Spirit. —Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 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