solemnize

verb

sol·​em·​nize ˈsä-ləm-ˌnīz How to pronounce solemnize (audio)
solemnized; solemnizing

transitive verb

1
: to observe or honor with solemnity
2
: to perform with pomp or ceremony
especially : to celebrate (a marriage) with religious rites
3
: to make solemn : dignify

intransitive verb

: to speak or act with solemnity
solemnization noun

Examples of solemnize in a Sentence

The priest solemnized their marriage.
Recent Examples on the Web In one temple, an officiant claimed that his facility had solemnized 1,500 mixed marriages over the last five years. Ira Trivedi, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2013 The vows were solemnized by Hunter S. Thompson who was an ordained minister. Rory Feehan, SPIN, 9 Nov. 2023 Once received, the license must be solemnized with a ceremony conducted by someone recognized as having the legal power do so. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2020 According to custom in these conservative Hindu communities, while weddings are often solemnized at very young ages, a bride typically is sent to live with her husband’s family and consummate the union in her teens. Author: Shashank Bengali, Anchorage Daily News, 24 June 2018 Paper can also help us with solemnizing our transactions — making them official. David Scharfenberg, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Apr. 2018 There is no marker to solemnize the death of the Spurs' unmatched dynasty: RIP 1997-2017. Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Feb. 2018

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

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near solemnize

Cite this Entry

“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solemnize. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

solemnize

verb
sol·​em·​nize ˈsäl-əm-ˌnīz How to pronounce solemnize (audio)
solemnized; solemnizing
1
: to observe or honor with solemnity
2
: to perform with ceremony
especially : to unite in marriage with religious ceremony
3
: to make solemn : dignify
solemnization noun

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