Meaning

(chiefly Roman Catholicism) To declare (a deceased person) as a saint, and enter them into the canon of saints..

Definitions by Sense

1. (chiefly Roman Catholicism) To declare (a deceased person) as a saint, and enter them into the canon of saints.
2. (figurative) To regard as a saint; to glorify, to exalt to the highest honour.
3. (Christianity) To formally declare (a piece of religious writing) to be part of the biblical canon.
4. (by extension) To regard (an artistic or written work or its creator) as one of a group that are representative of a particular field.
5. (chiefly Christianity) Especially of a church: to give official approval to; to authorize, to sanction.

Example Sentences

Thomas Becket was canonized in 1173.

Wée maye woorſhippe neyther the Virgine Marie, neyther the Apoſtles, neyther any Saincte, neyther make holy dayes, or Temples for them, muche leſſe Canonize them, which comprehendeth all theſe.

In heaven, are the ſowls of men departed in the popiſh fayth, and delivered from purgatorie: ſome of which, the Pope canonizeth for Saincts, whom the people on earth are religiouſly to honour and pray unto, as their mediators with God.

He muſt be of an eaſie belief, that can be certainly perſwaded that every one whom the Pope Canonizeth, and putteth into the Liſt of Saints, is ſo indeed.

Where to pray to thy suppositious saints? Where has it taught thee to enjoin men to pray to imaginary saints, whom thou canonizest from time to time?

Nay, where pilgrimages are not successful, they begin to canonise saints, not in honor of the saints—for they are sufficiently honored without canonisation—but in order to draw crowds and bring in money.

Since the twelfth century the pope has been the Church's sole authority for canonizing saints. But not even a pope can "make" a saint. As Pope Paul VI explained at the canonization of Julie Billiart (April 8): "We do not create, we do not confer saintliness, we recognize it, we proclaim it."

Prospective candidates for sainthood normally need to have two miracles attributed to them before they can be canonized.

Word Forms

• canonizes
• canonizing
• canonized
• canonise

Synonyms for canonize

Antonyms for canonize

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When Should You Use Canonize?

Use canonize when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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