canonize

verb

can·​on·​ize ˈka-nə-ˌnīz How to pronounce canonize (audio)
canonized ˈka-nə-ˌnīzd How to pronounce canonize (audio)
in "Hamlet" usually
kə-ˈnä-ˌnīzd How to pronounce canonize (audio)
; canonizing

transitive verb

1
: to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saint
2
: to make canonical
3
: to sanction by ecclesiastical authority
4
: to attribute authoritative sanction or approval to
5
: to treat as illustrious, preeminent, or sacred
his mother had canonized all his timidities as common senseScott Fitzgerald
canonization noun

Examples of canonize in a Sentence

She died 100 years ago and was canonized in Rome last year. a singing star so canonized by his fans that they refuse to believe anything bad about him
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The iconic transformation sequence, filled with genuinely ghastly flourishes, is rightfully canonized, but every shock effect is masterfully realized and admirably icky. EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024 Key franchise characters like Alex Mason and Jason Hudson will not return in Black Ops 6 due to some choices players can make in Black Ops 2 now being officially canonized in the overall narrative. Cade Onder, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024 Most players who shipped the two chose the former, which the series seems to have unofficially canonized through its post-game comic book runs. Isaiah Colbert, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2024 Although some Catholics have lobbied the Vatican to canonize Pius, even turning the cause into a moneymaking enterprise, Pius is a controversial figure. Victor Gaetan, Foreign Affairs, 8 June 2014 See all Example Sentences for canonize 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin canonizare, from Late Latin canon catalog of saints, from Latin, standard

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of canonize was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near canonize

Cite this Entry

“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canonize. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

canonize

verb
can·​on·​ize ˈkan-ə-ˌnīz How to pronounce canonize (audio)
canonized; canonizing
1
: to declare to be a saint and worthy of public respect
2
: to treat something as if it were sacred
canonization
ˌkan-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on canonize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!