sacrament

noun

sac·​ra·​ment ˈsa-krə-mənt 

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

capitalized

a

: communion sense 2a

b

: blessed sacrament

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 Michigan Catholic Conference said Whitmer was mocking receiving the sacrament of Communion. —Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 20 Oct. 2024

For the past 15 years, he’s been going on the road with circuses to preside over Mass, perform sacraments and provide pastoral care. —Gina Ryder, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024

Almost 200,000 people flooded into Soldier Field each day (despite rain and hail the last day) and venerated the consecrated bread and wine of the Holy Eucharist — a triumphant celebration of Catholicism’s central sacrament. —Marianne Mather, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2024

The United States should stop treating NATO as a holy sacrament. —Dan Caldwell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Mar. 2023

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

Kids Definition

sacrament

noun

sac·​ra·​ment ˈsak-rə-mənt 

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