the act of consecrating; dedication to the service and worship of a deity.
the act of giving the sacramental character to the Eucharistic elements of bread and wine, especially in the Roman Catholic Church.
ordination to a sacred office, especially to the episcopate.
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English consecracio(u)n, from Anglo-French, from Latin consecrātiōn-, stem of consecrātiō; equivalent to consecrate + -ion
Most often used in a religious context, consecration is the act of dedicating something to God, sanctifying it and making it holy. For example, someone entering the priesthood goes through a consecration rite that establishes his holy commitment. If we go to the root of consecration, we find the Latin noun sacer, or "sacred." Add the prefix con, meaning "with," and you can figure out that the verb consecrare means "to do with sacred dedication." In time, the word also came to mean any religious or secular action or dedication that indicated a strong commitment to some purpose, as in “He approached his job with the consecration of a religious zealot.”
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For instance, the gathering opened with a “Patriotic Rosary for the Consecration of our Nation” that included readings from George Washington and John Adams.
From Washington Post • Mar. 17, 2017
That experiment didn’t last long, but the Law of Consecration is still invoked by Mormons in, for instance, discussions of the church’s welfare program.
From Slate • Jan. 12, 2012
Consecration over time is the other selling argument that sways those seeking safety.
From New York Times • Nov. 11, 2011
The most substantial piece of "serious music" on the program was Beethoven's "Consecration of the House" overture.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 18, 2011
You elevate your torch first of all at the Sanctus and then at the Consecration.
From Sinister Street, vol. 1 by MacKenzie, Compton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
