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Canonize: meaning, definitions and examples

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canonize

 

[ ˈkænənaɪz ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

religious practice

To canonize is to officially declare a person to be a saint, recognizing them as having led a life of exemplary faith and virtue. This is typically a formal process conducted by a religious authority, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church.

Synonyms

saint, sanctify, venerate

Examples of usage

  • The church decided to canonize the beloved local priest.
  • After years of investigation, the Pope will canonize the missionary.
  • She was canonized due to her significant contributions to humanity.

Translations

Translations of the word "canonize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 canonizar

🇮🇳 संत बनाना

🇩🇪 kanonisieren

🇮🇩 kanonisasi

🇺🇦 канонізувати

🇵🇱 kanonizować

🇯🇵 聖人にする

🇫🇷 canoniser

🇪🇸 canonizar

🇹🇷 kanonize etmek

🇰🇷 성인으로 만들다

🇸🇦 تقديس

🇨🇿 kanonizovat

🇸🇰 kanonizovať

🇨🇳 封圣

🇸🇮 kanonizirati

🇮🇸 heilaga

🇰🇿 канонизациялау

🇬🇪 კანონიზაცია

🇦🇿 kanonlaşdırmaq

🇲🇽 canonizar

Word origin

The term 'canonize' originates from the Latin word 'canonizare', which means 'to make canonical'. This, in turn, is derived from the Greek word 'kanon', meaning 'rule' or 'measuring stick'. The concept of canonization began in the early Christian church, where martyrs and notable leaders were recognized for their extraordinary lives and dedication to faith. The formal process of canonization evolved over centuries, particularly through various councils and the influences of popes. By the Middle Ages, the practice became more standardized, with specific criteria and procedures established. Today, canonization signifies not only sainthood but also a lasting testament to an individual's contributions to the church and society.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,310, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.