Definition

A religious ceremony or ritual that is considered a means of receiving divine grace, especially in Christianity, such as Baptism and the Eucharist.

Example

The church held a special service to celebrate the sacrament of Baptism for the new members.

Conversation

Did you attend the sacrament service last week?

Yeah, I did! It was really meaningful.

I felt the same way; the sacrament really brought everyone together.

Absolutely! It’s always nice to share that experience with the community.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Sacrament is derived from the Latin "sacramentum" (meaning a sacred thing or oath), which is formed from "sacer" (meaning sacred) and the suffix "-mentum" (indicating the result of an action). The word refers to a religious rite considered to be a means of divine grace, thus embodying the concept of a sacred act or promise.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sacred' ('sacer') to remember that a 'sacrament' is a sacred act or rite.

Visually Confused Words