canonize

verb

can·​on·​ize ˈka-nə-ˌnīz How to pronounce canonize (audio)
canonized ˈka-nə-ˌnīzd How to pronounce canonize (audio)
in "Hamlet" usually
kə-ˈnä-ˌnīzd How to pronounce canonize (audio)
; canonizing

transitive verb

1
: to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saint
2
: to make canonical
3
: to sanction by ecclesiastical authority
4
: to attribute authoritative sanction or approval to
5
: to treat as illustrious, preeminent, or sacred
his mother had canonized all his timidities as common senseScott Fitzgerald
canonization noun

Examples of canonize in a Sentence

She died 100 years ago and was canonized in Rome last year. a singing star so canonized by his fans that they refuse to believe anything bad about him
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2018, Pope Paul was canonized a saint of the Catholic Church. Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025 Romero was canonized a saint by Pope Francis in 2018. Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025 He was later canonized and is known as, among other things, the patron saint of adult education and journalists. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024 It’s been sort of a slow burn itself, the way it’s been canonized, and for example, just now getting a Criterion release. Rachel Handler, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for canonize

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin canonizare, from Late Latin canon catalog of saints, from Latin, standard

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of canonize was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Canonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canonize. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

canonize

verb
can·​on·​ize ˈkan-ə-ˌnīz How to pronounce canonize (audio)
canonized; canonizing
1
: to declare to be a saint and worthy of public respect
2
: to treat something as if it were sacred
canonization
ˌkan-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on canonize

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