consecrate

Universal Words verb 1 [VN] to state officially in a religious ceremony that sth is holy and can be used for religious purposes: The church was consecrated in 1853. * consecrated ground 2 [VN] (in Christian belief) to make bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ 3 ~ sb (as) (sth) to state officially in a religious ceremony that sb is now a priest, etc: [VN-N] He was consecrated (as) bishop last year. [also VN] 4 [VN] ~ sth/sb / yourself to sth (formal) to give sth/sb or yourself to a special purpose, especially a religious one: She consecrated her life to God. consecration noun [C,U]: the consecration of a church / bishop