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consecrate

KON-suh-krayt /ˈkɒnsɪkreɪt/

verbC1GRESAT

FormalReligious

To make or declare something sacred; to dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.

Implies a deep, permanent change in the status of an object or person, setting them apart for God.

The story behind the word. From the Latin 'sacrare', which comes from 'sacer' (holy). To consecrate is to 'thoroughly make holy'. It shares a root with 'sacred', 'sacrifice', and 'sacrament'.

Word relationships

sanctify: Sanctify often refers to making a person holy or free from sin; consecrate is more about the formal act of dedication.
hallow: Hallow is an older, more poetic word for making something holy.

desecrate: To desecrate is to treat a sacred place or thing with violent disrespect; the exact opposite of consecrate.

Commonly confused with

bless: Blessing is a general invocation of favor; consecration is a formal setting-apart for sacred use.

Word family

consecration (noun): The act of making something sacred.

Collocations

consecrate a church
consecrate one's life
consecrated ground

Example sentences

"But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground." A famous speech. (Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address)
"The bishop will arrive on Sunday to consecrate the new altar." Religious ritual.

Memory hook

CON-SECR-ate: To make something SACR-ed. Make it sacred.

When not to use

Don't use for simply 'liking' or 'valuing' something; it requires a formal or spiritual dedication.

Fun facts

In the Catholic Mass, the 'Consecration' is the specific moment when the bread and wine are believed to become the body and blood of Christ.