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sacrament

SAK-ruh-munt /ˈsæk.rə.mənt/

nounC1GRESAT

formalreligious

A religious ceremony or act regarded as an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace.

Carries deep theological weight, implying a physical action that bestows divine favor or seals a holy pledge.

The story behind the word. In ancient Rome, a sacramentum was originally a military oath of allegiance sworn by soldiers, or a sum deposited in court by litigants. Early Latin church fathers adopted the word to translate the Greek mystérion, turning military allegiance into a holy pledge to God.

Word relationships

ordinance: Ordinance is used in non-sacramental Christian traditions to mean a commanded practice without conferring physical grace.
rite: Rite refers to the ceremony itself, whereas sacrament emphasizes the spiritual grace conferred through it.

profanation: Profanation is the desecration of something holy.

Commonly confused with

sacrilege: Sacrilege is the violation or misuse of what is sacred, whereas sacrament is the sacred rite itself.

Word family

sacramental (adjective): Relating to or constituting a sacrament.
sacramentalism (noun): Theological emphasis on the efficacy of sacraments.

Collocations

holy sacrament
administer a sacrament
receive a sacrament
sacrament of baptism

Example sentences

"A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace." Theology
"In medieval Europe, receiving the holy sacrament was the central spiritual obligation of a Christian's life." Historical Study

Memory hook

SACRED + AGREEMENT = SACRAMENT. A sacred agreement sealed by an outward rite. An outward sign of inward grace.

When not to use

Avoid using for casual promises or non-religious habits.

Fun facts

Roman soldiers who broke their sacramentum were considered cursed and outcast from society.