hallow

verb

hal·​low ˈha-(ˌ)lō 

hallowed; hallowing; hallows

transitive verb

1

: to make holy or set apart for holy use

2

: to respect greatly : venerate

the most hallowed of all law-enforcement agencies

—Dwight MacDonald

Synonyms

• bless
• consecrate
• sacralize
• sanctify

Choose the Right Synonym for hallow

devote, dedicate, consecrate, hallow mean to set apart for a special and often higher end.

devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective.

devoted his evenings to study

dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose.

dedicated her life to medical research

consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality.

consecrate a church to the worship of God

hallow, often differing little from dedicate or consecrate, may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity.

battlegrounds hallowed by the blood of patriots

Examples of hallow in a Sentence

Lincoln's memorable words at the Gettysburg battlefield, “we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground”.

Recent Examples on the Web

But long before stars like Hamilton, one name was hallowed: Ayrton Senna. —Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024

This week's quiz is highlighted by holidays, hallowed sites and competitions on the high seas — plus a few other surprises. —Kerry J. Byrne, Fox News, 1 Sep. 2024

The Olympics singles and doubles competition begins July 27 at Paris hallowed Roland Garros clay courts. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 July 2024

Which hallowed halls of top-tier higher education should their children consider? —Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 17 May 2024

For some people associated with the British Museum, the recent tumult made the larger questions of purpose that hallowed museums are facing only more pressing. —Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024

The iconic number is retired and hallowed in every big-league ballpark. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2024

Real boxing matches are televised or streamed just about every Saturday night, and so watching some fictional ones, no matter how hallowed, was never a top priority. —Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2023

But with players from a 20-year veteran like James all the way down to rookie Max Christie making plays to help the Lakers win, those words weren’t hallow Friday. —Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle English halowen, from Old English hālgian, from hālig holy — more at holy

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hallow

verb

hal·​low ˈhal-ō 

1

: to make holy or set apart for holy use : consecrate

2

: to respect greatly : venerate

hallowed

ˈhal-ōd

 in the Lord's Prayer also  ˈhal-ə-wəd

adjective