A sacrament is a Christian religious ceremony such as communion, baptism, or marriage.
...the holy sacrament of baptism. [+ of]
2. singular noun
In the Roman Catholic church, the Sacrament is the holy bread eaten at the Eucharist. In the Anglican church, the Sacrament is the holy bread and wine taken at Holy Communion.
sacrament in British English
(ˈsækrəmənt)
noun
1.
an outward sign combined with a prescribed form of words and regarded as conferring some specific grace upon those who receive it. The Protestant sacraments are baptism and the Lord's Supper. In the Roman Catholic and Eastern Churches they are baptism, penance, confirmation, the Eucharist, holy orders, matrimony, and the anointing of the sick (formerly extreme unction)
2. (often capital)
the Eucharist
3.
the consecrated elements of the Eucharist, esp the bread
4.
something regarded as possessing a sacred or mysterious significance
5.
a symbol; pledge
Word origin
C12: from Church Latin sacrāmentum vow, from Latin sacrāre to consecrate
sacrament in American English
(ˈsækrəmənt)
noun
1. Christianity
any of certain rites instituted by Jesus and believed to be means of grace: baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist, penance, holy orders, matrimony,and Anointing of the Sick are the seven recognized by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches; Protestants generally recognize only baptism and the Lord's Supper (the Eucharist)
2. [sometimesS-]
the Eucharist, or Holy Communion; also, the consecrated bread and wine, or sometimes the bread alone, used in the Eucharist
3.
something regarded as having a sacred character or mysterious meaning
4. Archaic
a.
a symbol or token
b.
a solemn oath or pledge
Word origin
ME < OFr sacrement < LL(Ec) sacramentum, the gospel, a secret, sacrament (used as transl. of Gr mystērion) < L, an oath of allegiance, orig., sum deposited by the two parties to a suit <sacrare, to consecrate < sacer, sacred
Examples of 'sacrament' in a sentence
sacrament
Just because he offers you the sacrament, you don't have to take it.
Forbes, Bryan THE ENDLESS GAME (2003)
Eternal city of love and faith, of Venus and the Vatican, of sacrament and sacrilege.
Edward Docx THE CALLIGRAPHER (2003)
Cuthbert had shriven him and brought the sacrament for that last great journey.
Grace, C.L A SHRINE OF MURDERS (2003)
He opened his little sacrament case and took out the big missal which was his own property, bound in costly mother-of-pearl.