transubstantiation

noun

tran·​sub·​stan·​ti·​a·​tion ˌtran(t)-səb-ˌstan(t)-shē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce transubstantiation (audio)
1
: the miraculous change by which according to Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox dogma the eucharistic elements at their consecration become the body and blood of Christ while keeping only the appearances of bread and wine
2
: an act or instance of transubstantiating or being transubstantiated

Examples of transubstantiation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This cinematic transubstantiation was a harbinger of the Trump-era culture wars, in which signs and signifiers escaped each other’s gravity and floated off into the ether. Nate Jones, Vulture, 20 Aug. 2024 During the Eucharist, or communion, Catholics believe bread and wine is converted into the body and blood of Jesus Christ through a blessing known as transubstantiation that calls back to the Last Supper. Alysa Guffey, The Indianapolis Star, 15 July 2024 He is more drawn to an ethos of transubstantiation, in which things can become other things. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023 The others involved denying the divinity of Jesus, denying the virgin birth, denying transubstantiation, practicing magic, and believing that animals and objects (including the Earth) possessed souls. Corey S. Powell, Discover Magazine, 10 Mar. 2014 The transubstantiation happening inside the fabs goes something like this. Virginia Heffernan, WIRED, 21 Mar. 2023 It has been proposed that Serratia’sproclivity for starch may have contributed to the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation, wherein the bread of the Eucharist represents the body of Christ. Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2015 Her Catholic upbringing also made a deep impression, especially the mystical aspects of religion such as transubstantiation. Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 20 May 2022 Lyrics are rich in Christian allusions to transubstantiation and the resurrection. Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of transubstantiation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near transubstantiation

Cite this Entry

“Transubstantiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transubstantiation. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

transubstantiation

noun
tran·​sub·​stan·​ti·​a·​tion ˌtran(t)s-əb-ˌstan-chē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce transubstantiation (audio)
: the miraculous change by which according to Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox belief the consecrated bread and wine at Mass become the body and blood of Christ while maintaining their appearance

More from Merriam-Webster on transubstantiation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!