adjective
consecrated
KON-si-kray-tid
Consecrated (adjective) means Formally declared sacred and set apart for religious use. Example: “He was buried in consecrated ground.”
adjective
1
Formally declared sacred and set apart for religious use.
"He was buried in consecrated ground."
"The consecrated bread is distributed at the altar rail."
verb
1
Past tense and past participle of consecrate: to declare something sacred, to ordain someone to a sacred office, or to devote something wholly to a purpose.
"The archbishop consecrated the new cathedral in 1962."
"She consecrated her life to the care of the sick."
How to use consecrated
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOfficially made holy and set aside for religious use.
When to use it
Religious and formal; the figurative sense of devoting something entirely to a cause is literary.
Memory tip
Consecrate takes "to" for the purpose: consecrated to the memory of the fallen.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
consecrated ground
consecrated bread
consecrated to the service of
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He was buried in _____ ground.
Etymology
From Latin consecrare "to make sacred", from con- (intensive) and sacrare "to dedicate", from sacer "sacred".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for consecrated
See all rhymes for consecrated →Frequently asked questions
What is consecrated ground?
It is land, usually a churchyard or part of a cemetery, that has been formally blessed and set apart for burial according to a religious rite. Historically some churches refused burial there to people outside the faith, and the phrase still carries that weight in literature.
What is the difference between consecrated and blessed?
A blessing asks for favour or protection and can be given to almost anything, from a meal to a fishing fleet. Consecration is a formal, usually once-only act that permanently sets a person, building or object apart for sacred use. All consecration involves blessing; not all blessing consecrates.
Can a church be unconsecrated?
Yes. When a church is closed or sold for another use, many denominations hold a service of deconsecration, formally releasing the building from sacred use so it can become a home, a shop or a concert hall.
What is the meaning of consecrated?
"consecrated" (adjective) means formally declared sacred and set apart for religious use.
