secularize

[ sek-yuh-luh-rahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, sec·u·lar·ized, sec·u·lar·iz·ing.

1. to make secular; separate from religious or spiritual connection or influences; make worldly or unspiritual; imbue with secularism.
2. to change (clergy) from regular to secular.
3. to transfer (property) from ecclesiastical to civil possession or use.

secularize

/ ˈsɛkjʊləˌraɪz /

verb

1. to change from religious or sacred to secular functions, etc
2. to dispense from allegiance to a religious order
3. law to transfer (property) from ecclesiastical to civil possession or use
4. English legal history to transfer (an offender) from the jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical courts to that of the civil courts for the imposition of a more severe punishment

Derived Forms

• ˌseculariˈzation, noun
• ˈsecularˌizer, noun

Other Words From

• sec·u·lar·i·za·tion [sek-y, uh, -l, uh, -rahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n] noun
• sec·u·lar·iz·er noun
• o·ver·sec·u·lar·ize verb (used with object) oversecularized oversecularizing
• un·sec·u·lar·ized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of secularize¹

First recorded in 1605–15; secular + -ize

Example Sentences

And, as we all know, “this ‘war on Christmas’ is the tip of the spear in a larger battle to secularize our culture.”

From The Daily Beast

The Carmelites had persecuted him in his youth, and in the end the prior had driven him to secularize himself.

From Project Gutenberg

In their opinion, it was impious to secularize ecclesiastical property, and turn it aside to profane purposes.

From Project Gutenberg

As there is nothing which the heart cannot sanctify, so is there nothing which it may not secularize.

From Project Gutenberg

The great measure in contemplation is to secularize the Vacoufs.

From Project Gutenberg

The Pope who shall dare to secularize a foot-breadth of land which has been gifted to the Church is by that law accursed.

From Project Gutenberg