saint

American  

[seynt] / seɪnt /

noun

1. any of certain persons of exceptional holiness of life, formally recognized as such by the Christian Church, especially by canonization.

2. a person of great holiness, virtue, or benevolence.

3. a founder, sponsor, or patron, as of a movement or organization.

4. (in certain religious groups) a designation applied by the members to themselves.

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verb (used with object)

1. to enroll formally among the saints recognized by the Church.

2. to give the name of saint to; reckon as a saint.

saint British  

/ seɪnt, sənt /

noun

1. a person who after death is formally recognized by a Christian Church, esp the Roman Catholic Church, as having attained, through holy deeds or behaviour, a specially exalted place in heaven and the right to veneration

2. a person of exceptional holiness or goodness

3. (plural) Bible the collective body of those who are righteous in God's sight

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verb

1. (tr) to canonize; recognize formally as a saint

saint Cultural  

1. In Christianity, a holy person, living or dead; a person who has been saved (see salvation) (see also salvation). Saint is the French word for “holy.” Many churches reserve the title of saint for persons who have died faithful to their Christian commitment. The Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church require certain procedures before people can be officially named saints; this procedure is called canonization.

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Other Word Forms

• outsaint
  verb (used with object)
• saintdom
  noun
• saintless
  adjective
• saintlike
  adjective
• supersaint
  noun

Etymology

Origin of saint

before 1000; Middle English (noun and v.) < Old French (noun) < Latin sānctus sacred, adj. use of past participle of sancīre to consecrate, equivalent to sanc- (akin to sacer sacred ) + -tus past participle suffix; replacing Old English sanct < Latin, as above

Explanation

A saint is a person who is very holy — or just very good. If you gave all your money away to charity, some people might consider you a saint. Saint can refer to a person who is officially recognized as holy within a particular faith or religion. However, any person who is considered deeply religious or especially generous could be called a saint. You might say that someone is a saint if they go to religious services every day, or if they spend a lot of time volunteering at a school or at a hospital.

Example Sentences

He couldn’t overcome the opposition, including the powerful maritime unions, and called himself the patron saint of lost causes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

With their help, the conference can put its money where its mouth is, as the patron saint of world-changing upstarts.

From Slate • May 8, 2026

The martyred Monica has literally been transfigured into a saint.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

But she would end up in a totally different role - first a nun and now, 10 years to the day after her death in an earthquake, a would-be saint.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

St. Sebastian had been named the patron saint of athletes and soldiers, because he’d been forced to endure extreme physical trials in his life but was able to heal quickly from his injuries.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles