sacrament

[ sak-ruh-muhnt ]

noun

1. Ecclesiastical. a visible sign of an inward grace, especially one of the solemn Christian rites considered to have been instituted by Jesus Christ to symbolize or confer grace: the sacraments of the Protestant churches are baptism and the Lord's Supper; the sacraments of the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches are baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist, matrimony, penance, holy orders, and extreme unction.
2. (often initial capital letter) Also called Holy Sacrament. the Eucharist or Lord's Supper.
3. the consecrated elements of the Eucharist, especially the bread.
4. something regarded as possessing a sacred character or mysterious significance.
5. a sign, token, or symbol.
6. an oath; solemn pledge.

sacrament

/ ˈsækrəmənt /

noun

1. an outward sign combined with a prescribed form of words and regarded as conferring some specific grace upon those who receive it. The Protestant sacraments are baptism and the Lord's Supper. In the Roman Catholic and Eastern Churches they are baptism, penance, confirmation, the Eucharist, holy orders, matrimony, and the anointing of the sick (formerly extreme unction)
2. often capital the Eucharist
3. the consecrated elements of the Eucharist, esp the bread
4. something regarded as possessing a sacred or mysterious significance
5. a symbol; pledge

sacrament

1. A religious ceremony or rite. Most Christian churches reserve the term for those rites that Jesus himself instituted, but there are disagreements between them on which rites those are. The Lutheran Church , for example, maintains that baptism and Communion are the only sacraments, whereas in the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church , there are five more: confirmation; confession ; anointing of the sick; the ordination of clergy; and the marriage of Christians.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacrament¹

1150–1200; Middle English < Medieval Latin sacrāmentum obligation, oath, Late Latin: mystery, rite, equivalent to Latin sacrā ( re ) to devote + -mentum -ment

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacrament¹

C12: from Church Latin sacrāmentum vow, from Latin sacrāre to consecrate

Example Sentences

Catholicism also makes a ceremony of transubstantiating flesh into a sacrament to feed the soul.

From Salon

For the past 15 years, he’s been going on the road with circuses to preside over Mass, perform sacraments and provide pastoral care.

From Los Angeles Times

At the same time, the document reflected bishops’ worries that many Catholics don’t know or accept the church’s teachings about the significance of the sacrament, though surveys have given mixed results on that question.

From Seattle Times

As a Catholic, she says she does differentiate between the sacrament of marriage and the marriage that is recognized by the government.

From Seattle Times

Once again members of the state Legislature are faced with a dilemma: how to protect children from abuse and neglect yet respect the sacrament of certain religious faiths.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• communion
• liturgy