Definition of: consecrate

(ko′sə·krāt) v.t. ·crat·ed, ·crat·ing
1. To set apart as sacred; dedicate to sacred uses with appointed ceremonies; to consecrate a church, a bishop, or the elements of the Eucharist.
2. To dedicate solemnly, as from emotions of gratitude or convictions of duty; devote: He consecrated his life to the cause.
3. To apotheosize; canonize.
4. To make reverend or venerable; hallow: consecrated by time.
—adjective Hallowed; consecrated. [<L consecratus, pp. of consecrare <com- thoroughly + sacer holy]
—con′se·cra′tor noun
—con·se·cra·to·ry (kon′sə·krə·tôr′ē, -tō′rē) adjective