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 settlement marks a historic shift in DEA policy, which, in the past, has tended to view Johnny-come-lately churches claiming drugs as their sacraments with an almost impenetrable degree of skepticism. —Cassady Rosenblum, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2024

Religious groups can continue seeking legal exemptions for their use of psychedelics as sacraments. —Oshan Jarow, Vox, 9 Aug. 2024

The doctrine includes the 10 commandments, the saints, the liturgical calendar, prayers, sacraments and moral and theological principles for Christian life. —Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 16 July 2024

The gathering is the first of its kind in 83 years after United States bishops voted to undergo a revival for the sacrament of communion. —Alysa Guffey, The Indianapolis Star, 15 July 2024

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