What does sacrament mean?
A sacrament is a religious rite or ceremony, especially a Christian rite such as baptism, confirmation, or the Eucharist. In Christian theology, the term refers not merely to a public act but to a sacred means by which grace is communicated or spiritual reality is made present. Outside specifically religious contexts, the word can refer more broadly to a solemn ceremony or observance that marks an important transition or commemoration. Its associations with ritual, holiness, tradition, and ceremony give it a formal and elevated tone. The word is especially useful when discussing the relationship between physical actions and spiritual meaning, whether in a religious service or in a figurative description of a significant public ritual. It is a more specific and more solemn term than ordinary “ceremony.”
nounA religious rite or ceremony, especially one of the sacraments of the Christian Church, such as baptism or the Eucharist. More broadly, it can refer to any solemn ceremony or observance with a sacred character.
- A religious rite or ceremony, especially one of the sacraments of the Christian Church, such as baptism or the Eucharist.
- Any solemn ceremony or observance invested with a sacred or religious character.
"The priest administered the sacrament to the congregation during the service."
"The ceremony of confirmation is one of the seven sacraments in the Catholic Church."
"His graduation was a solemn sacrament of recognition, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another."
Usually used in the singular for an individual rite and in the plural when referring to the recognized rites of the Christian Church or to several sacred ceremonies.
"The seven sacraments form an important part of the Church's teaching and practice."
In Christian theology, a sacrament is both a visible ceremony and a spiritual event: the outward act is meant to signify an inward gift of grace.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sacrament come from?
The word comes through Old French from Latin sacramentum, a term meaning “sacred thing” or “rite,” derived from sacer, “sacred” or “holy.” Latin compounds such as sacrificium, meaning “sacrifice,” and sanctus, meaning “holy,” preserve the same religious root. The English word was established in religious usage by the late medieval period and later came to be used figuratively for important solemn ceremonies.
Related word forms
How sacrament is actually used
The word is formal and strongly associated with Christian theology, though it can be used more broadly in literary or ceremonial contexts. In theological writing, it often carries the implication that a physical rite signifies or conveys a spiritual reality.
Easily confused with sacrament
A sacrament is a religious rite or ceremony, whereas a sacrifice is an offering made to a deity or other sacred recipient.
A sacrament is an authorized religious rite, while sacrilege is an act of treating something sacred with disrespect or irreverence.