sainthood

noun

saint·​hood ˈsānt-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce sainthood (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being a saint
2
: saints as a group

Examples of sainthood in a Sentence

because of his years of dedicated service to the church, they considered him a perfect example of sainthood
Recent Examples on the Web Singer is eager to intervene here, emphasizing that animal-rights activism should pursue the diminishment of suffering, not the achievement of sainthood. Elizabeth Barber, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2023 Pope Francis is not expected to attend the ceremony, which will put the family one step closer to sainthood, according to the Vatican’s saint-making arm, the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, 6 Sep. 2023 The Sudanese born Saint Josephine Bakhita (born in 1869) suffered similarly and found freedom and sainthood in Catholicism. Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review, 20 Nov. 2023 The Catholic Church has opened an inquiry to consider whether Petrillo should be elevated to sainthood. Kavitha Surana, ProPublica, 27 Nov. 2023 The Ulma family were killed for sheltering a Jewish family for 18 months, according to the supporting documents accompanying the beatification, which is the final step before sainthood. Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, 6 Sep. 2023 Holocaust survivors have lobbied to freeze his sainthood process. Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2023 This will be the first time an entire family has been elevated toward sainthood, according to the Vatican’s media office. Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, 6 Sep. 2023 This mantle of commercial sainthood is reserved for those characters who invested their identity and personality — faked or authentic — in their schtick. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sainthood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sainthood was in 1550

Dictionary Entries Near sainthood

Cite this Entry

“Sainthood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sainthood. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sainthood

noun
saint·​hood ˈsānt-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce sainthood (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being a saint
2
: saints as a group

More from Merriam-Webster on sainthood

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