canonization

C3A1N1O1N1I1Z10A1T1I1O1N1

noun

The final process or decree (following beatification) by which the name of a deceased person is placed in the catalogue (canon) of saints and commended to perpetual veneration and invocation.

Similar
canonisation
OriginEnglish canonize ← Middle English canonizen ← Old French canonisier →
UncommonScrabble 23
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Meanings

nouncanonization (countable and uncountable, plural canonizations)

plural canonizations · alternative UK canonisation

  1. countableuncountableChristianityThe final process or decree (following beatification) by which the name of a deceased person is placed in the catalogue (canon) of saints and commended to perpetual veneration and invocation.
  2. countableuncountableThe state of being canonized or sainted.

    Following the attribution of two miracles, the next step is for the Pope to convene a meeting of cardinals to agree on Acutis’ sainthood and decide on a date for the canonization.

    2024 May 24, Christopher Lamb, “Italian teenager nicknamed ‘God’s influencer’ set to become Catholic Church’s first millennial saint”, in CNN
  3. countableuncountableIntroduction into a canon of artistic or literary works.

Synonyms & antonyms

noun(Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church) the act of admitting a deceased person into the canon of saints

Similar
canonisation
Broader
sanctification

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekκανών (kanṓn)
  2. Latincanōn
  3. Medieval Latincanōnizō
  4. Old Frenchcanonisier
  5. Middle Englishcanonizen
  6. Englishcanonize
  7. Englishcanonization

From canonize + -ation.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Catalan canonització
  • canonitzacióthe final process or decree
French canonisation, canonisation
  • canonisationthe final process or decree
  • canonisationthe state of being canonized or sainted
German Heiligsprechung
  • Heiligsprechungthe final process or decree
Greek αγιοκατάταξη, αγιοποίηση
  • αγιοκατάταξη (agiokatátaxi)the final process or decree
  • αγιοποίηση (agiopoíisi)the state of being canonized or sainted
Indonesian kanonisasi
  • kanonisasithe state of being canonized or sainted
Irish naomhainmniú, naomhainmniú
  • naomhainmniúthe final process or decree
  • naomhainmniúthe state of being canonized or sainted
Italian canonizzazione, canonizzazione
  • canonizzazionethe final process or decree
  • canonizzazionethe state of being canonized or sainted
Polish kanonizacja
  • kanonizacjathe final process or decree
Portuguese canonização, canonização
  • canonizaçãothe final process or decree
  • canonizaçãothe state of being canonized or sainted
Spanish canonización, canonización
  • canonizaciónthe final process or decree
  • canonizaciónthe state of being canonized or sainted
Swedish helgonförklaring, helgonförklaring
  • helgonförklaringthe final process or decree
  • helgonförklaringthe state of being canonized or sainted
Tagalog pagkakanonisa
  • pagkakanonisathe state of being canonized or sainted
Ukrainian канонізація
  • канонізація (kanonizacija)the final process or decree
Cite this entry
APA

canonization. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/canonization

MLA

“canonization.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/canonization. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “canonization,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/canonization.

Source: canonization on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.