What does canonizing mean?
Canonizing refers to the formal process by which the Roman Catholic Church declares a deceased person to be a saint, following rigorous investigation into their life, virtues, and verified miracles. The word derives from 'canon,' originally a Greek term for a measuring rod or rule, reflecting the idea of being added to an official list — the canon of saints. Beyond its ecclesiastical use, canonizing has taken on a broader figurative meaning: to treat a person, work, or idea as sacred, authoritative, or beyond reproach. In this extended sense it can carry a critical edge, as when commentators accuse admirers of 'canonizing' a public figure instead of evaluating them honestly. The term remains relatively formal and infrequent in everyday speech, but it vividly captures the transition from human to hallowed status, whether sanctioned by the Church or conferred by popular reverence.
Declaring a deceased person officially to be a saint, especially in the Roman Catholic Church.
"The Vatican spent years canonizing the new saint after verifying two attributed miracles."
Typically used in formal religious contexts.
The act or process of conferring sainthood, or figuratively, of treating something as sacred or unimpeachable.
"The canonizing of Mother Teresa drew pilgrims from around the world."
As a gerund, functions as a verbal noun.
Before a pope declares someone a saint, they need proof of at least two miracles — and 'canonizing' literally comes from the Greek word for a measuring rod.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of canonizing
Canonizing traces back through Late Latin 'canonizare' to Greek 'kanōn' (κανών), meaning a measuring rod or rule, which came to denote an authoritative list or standard. The verb entered English in the late Middle Ages via ecclesiastical Latin, describing the Church's act of inscribing a name among the saints — the canon of recognized holy figures. Cognates include canonical and cannon (a different borrowing from the same root via Italian and Latin).
Related word forms
How canonizing is actually used
Formal register; the religious sense appears mainly in ecclesiastical contexts, while the figurative sense often carries a mildly critical connotation of excessive reverence.
Easily confused with canonizing
A canon is an official list or rule (such as the list of recognized saints or accepted works), whereas canonizing is the action of adding someone to that honored status.