sacramental

[ sak-ruh-men-tl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of a sacrament, especially the sacrament of the Eucharist.
2. powerfully binding:

   a sacramental obligation.

noun

1. Roman Catholic Church. an action, as the sign of the cross, a ceremony resembling a sacrament, or a sacred object, regarded as being instituted by the church rather than by Christ and serving as a means of receiving sanctifying grace.

sacramental

/ ˌsækrəmɛnˈtælɪtɪ; ˌsækrəˈmɛntəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having the nature of a sacrament
2. bound by or as if by a sacrament

noun

1. RC Church a sacrament-like ritual action, such as the sign of the cross or the use of holy water

Derived Forms

• sacramentality, noun
• ˌsacraˈmentally, adverb

Other Words From

• sacra·mental·ly adverb
• sacra·mental·ness sacra·men·tali·ty noun
• nonsac·ra·mental adjective
• unsac·ra·mental adjective
• unsac·ra·mental·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacramental¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word sacrāmentālis. See sacrament, -al ¹

Example Sentences

Another reason that rosé may have had a hard time getting respect is that it never received the monastic imprimatur, authorization given by the Catholic Church, nor were they ever "consecrated" to serve as sacramental wine.

From Salon

Indeed, sacramental wine is traditionally red, by analogy with the blood of Christ.

From Salon

Often movies end up grappling with whether the words, rites and sacramental objects of the Catholic church have power of their own, regardless of the beliefs and righteousness of the wielder.

From New York Times

“We are using these medicines to connect with the divine,” said Ms. Lasseter, the founder of All Tribes Medicine Assembly, one of dozens of organizations that describe themselves as churches and view their use of psychoactive substances as sacramental, even though they are generally illegal under federal law.

From New York Times

“We are using these medicines to connect with the divine,” said Ms. Lasseter, the founder of All Tribes Medicine Assembly, one of dozens of organizations that describe themselves as churches and view their use of psychoactive substances as sacramental, even though they are generally illegal under federal law.

From New York Times

Related Words

• angelic
• celestial
• eternal
• heavenly
• holy
• mystical
• religious
• sacred
• spiritual
• supernatural
• transcendent
• wonderful