canonize

[ kan-uh-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, can·on·ized, can·on·iz·ing.

1. Ecclesiastical. to place in the canon of saints. Compare beatify ( def 2 ).
2. to glorify.
3. to make canonical; place or include within a canon, especially of scriptural works:

   They canonized the Song of Solomon after much controversy.

4. to consider or treat as sacrosanct or holy:

   They canonized his many verbal foibles and made them gospel.

5. to sanction or approve authoritatively, especially ecclesiastically.
6. Archaic. to deify.

canonize

/ ˈkænəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. RC Church to declare (a person) to be a saint and thus admit to the canon of saints
2. to regard as holy or as a saint
3. to sanction by canon law; pronounce valid

Derived Forms

• ˌcanoniˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• canon·i·zation noun
• canon·izer noun
• super·canon·i·zation noun
• uncan·on·i·zation noun
• un·canon·ize verb (used with object) uncanonized uncanonizing

Word History and Origins

Origin of canonize¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; canon ¹( def ) + -ize ( def )

Example Sentences

But as the normal and the deviant continue to swap places, our cultural monsters—the ones we create, and the ones we hold a mirror up to—continue to raise questions of where we situate decency, what we canonize, and what we try to exorcise.

From Slate

The Republican freak show has gathered in Milwaukee this week to canonize and coronate Donald Trump, fresh off his felony conviction and a recent assassination attempt.

From Salon

“It’s a gift of God that Pope Francis — an Argentine pope, a Jesuit pope — can canonize her,” he said.

From Seattle Times

On Sunday Francis will canonize Mama Antula, whose real name was María Antonia di San Giuseppe de Paz y Figueroa, in a ceremony that will also mark his first meeting with Argentina’s new libertarian president, Javier Milei.

From Seattle Times

It turns out that this massive publicity blitz was built on decades of work—expensive work—to canonize Thomas.

From Slate

Related Words

• beatify
• consecrate