beatification
Americannoun
-
the act of beatifying.
-
the state of being beatified.
-
Roman Catholic Church. the official act of the pope whereby a deceased person is declared to be enjoying the happiness of heaven, and therefore a proper subject of religious honor and public cult in certain places.
Etymology
Origin of beatification
1495–1505; < Late Latin beātificātiōn- (stem of beātificātiō ), equivalent to beātificāt ( us ) (past participle of beātificāre to beatify ) + -iōn- -ion; see -ate 1
Explanation
Beatification is making someone blissful or extremely happy. It's also an action by the Pope that honors a dead person for being holy. For most of us, beatification is the action of making someone blissfully happy. That kind of beatification produces pure joy. In the Catholic Church, it's the declaration by a pope that someone is entitled to public veneration. After her death in 1997, Mother Theresa of Calcutta was beatified by Pope John Paul II. Beatification is a step along the path to canonization: when someone is made a saint. Only a very holy person can be a candidate for beatification.
Vocabulary lists containing beatification
Challenge, List 12
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!
List 9
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!
All Saints' Day
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!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Canonisation is the final step towards sainthood in the Catholic Church, following beatification.
From Barron's • Oct. 19, 2025
Lyle Menendez spearheaded a beatification project at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, and his brother has organized artwork for the project.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2025
The usual formal process for someone to be declared a saint would next involve beatification, one step short of full sainthood.
From BBC • Apr. 15, 2025
The documentation from the Vatican archives, published this weekend in Italian daily Corriere della Sera, is likely to further fuel the debate about Pius’ legacy and his now-stalled beatification campaign.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 16, 2023
The decree for the introduction of the cause for the beatification and canonization of Joan of Arc has been signed at last.
From Donahoe's Magazine, Volume 15, No. 2, February 1886 by Various
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.
