sacrament

noun

sac·​ra·​ment ˈsa-krə-mənt How to pronounce sacrament (audio)
1
a
: a Christian rite (such as baptism or the Eucharist) that is believed to have been ordained by Christ and that is held to be a means of divine grace or to be a sign or symbol of a spiritual reality
b
: a religious rite or observance comparable to a Christian sacrament
2
3
: something likened to a religious sacrament
saw voting as a sacrament of democracy

Examples of sacrament in a Sentence

They stood in line to receive the Sacrament.
Recent Examples on the Web The approach requires no priest, no holy sacrament, no one to intercede with God on the person’s behalf. Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 20 Mar. 2024 In a Catholic diocese, a cathedral serves as the bishop's home church and the site of important religious events for the diocese such as the ordination of new priests and the annual Chrism Mass, where the oils used in sacraments throughout the diocese are blessed, traditionally on Holy Thursday. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sacrament 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sacrament.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sacrement, sacrament, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin sacramentum, from Latin, oath of allegiance, obligation, from sacrare to consecrate

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sacrament was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near sacrament

Cite this Entry

“Sacrament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sacrament. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

sacrament

noun
sac·​ra·​ment ˈsak-rə-mənt How to pronounce sacrament (audio)
1
: a religious act that is a sign or symbol of a spiritual existence
2
capitalized : blessed sacrament
sacramental
ˌsak-rə-ˈment-ᵊl
adjective
sacramentally
-ᵊl-ē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on sacrament

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