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Synonyms

sacramental

American  
[sak-ruh-men-tl] / ˌsæk rəˈmɛn tl /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or of the nature of a sacrament, especially the sacrament of the Eucharist.

  2. powerfully binding.

    a sacramental obligation.


noun

  1. Roman Catholic Church. an action, as the sign of the cross, a ceremony resembling a sacrament, or a sacred object, regarded as being instituted by the church rather than by Christ and serving as a means of receiving sanctifying grace.

sacramental British  
/ ˌsækrəmɛnˈtælɪtɪ, ˌsækrəˈmɛntəl /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or having the nature of a sacrament

  2. bound by or as if by a sacrament

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. RC Church a sacrament-like ritual action, such as the sign of the cross or the use of holy water

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nonsacramental adjective
  • sacramentality noun
  • sacramentally adverb
  • sacramentalness noun
  • unsacramental adjective
  • unsacramentally adverb

Etymology

Origin of sacramental

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word sacrāmentālis. See sacrament, -al 1

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.

Capote perfectly captures the sacramental quality of the holiday—how, through the exhaustive labor of polishing and scrubbing, we consecrate the routine rooms of daily existence into a sanctuary for celebration.

From The Wall Street Journal

Indeed, sacramental wine is traditionally red, by analogy with the blood of Christ.

From Salon

Often movies end up grappling with whether the words, rites and sacramental objects of the Catholic church have power of their own, regardless of the beliefs and righteousness of the wielder.

From New York Times

Conference of Catholic Bishops were quick to point out that the blessings approved Monday were pastoral and not liturgical or sacramental.

From Washington Times

The overall goal is to make it abundantly clear to the couple and those around them that the blessing is not a liturgical or sacramental ritual, and that it in no way resembles a marriage.

From Seattle Times