sainthood

American  

[seynt-hood] / ˈseɪnt hʊd /

Also saintdom

noun

1. the character or status of a saint.

2. saints collectively.

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sainthood British  

/ ˈseɪnthʊd /

noun

1. the state or character of being a saint

2. saints collectively

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Etymology

Origin of sainthood

First recorded in 1540–50; saint + -hood

Explanation

Sainthood is the state of being a holy person who goes to heaven after death. In the Catholic church, people can achieve sainthood after death. People like Mother Theresa that is, not just any chump. You can use this noun in the religious sense to describe the status of Catholic saints: "Mother Theresa officially achieved sainthood almost twenty years after her death." You can also use sainthood to talk about less-saintly people: "My sister pretends like she's headed for sainthood, but then she sticks her tongue out at me when my parents aren't looking!"

Example Sentences

Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, last year put Gaudí on the path to sainthood, a multistage process that depends on the Catholic Church confirming claims of miracles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

“Intimate Audrey” occasionally strays close to elevating its subject to sainthood, mostly in material regarding her unselfish work for Unicef in Somalia and Ethiopia, which Mr. Ferrer believes broke both her heart and her health.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Canonisation is the final step towards sainthood in the Catholic Church, following beatification.

From Barron's • Oct. 19, 2025

My fiancee Roxana qualifies for sainthood because whenever we go out, she must patiently wait for me to get dressed, which takes forever and is accompanied by the unholy sounds of struggle.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2025

He could barely look at her, afraid that on close scrutiny she might dissolve into sainthood and be blown like holy pollen into the sky.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols