sacrament
UK: ˈsækrəmənt | US: ˈsækrəmənt
n. a religious ceremony or act regarded as an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual divine grace (e.g., baptism, Eucharist in Christianity).
n. (figurative) something regarded as possessing sacred or mysterious significance.
Derived from Latin sacramentum (oath, solemn obligation), originally from sacrare (to consecrate) + -mentum (denoting an instrument or result). In early Christian Latin, it evolved to denote sacred rites, reflecting the transition from Roman military oaths to spiritual vows. The root sacr- (holy) persists in related words like "sacred" and "sacrifice," while -ment marks the result of consecration.
The Eucharist is considered a sacrament in many Christian traditions.
Marriage is often viewed as a sacrament symbolizing divine union.
Ancient rituals transformed into sacraments over centuries.
The priest explained the significance of each sacrament.
For her, gardening became a sacrament connecting her to nature.