1. the act by the Roman Catholic Church of declaring a deceased person to be blessed and worthy of public religious honor, as a step toward sainthood
Usage: religious; Catholic Church
2. the state of supreme blessedness or bliss
Usage: formal

Examples

• The beatification ceremony was attended by thousands of faithful Catholics.
• Pope Francis announced the beatification of the missionary who served in Africa.
• The process of beatification requires evidence of miracles attributed to the deceased.
• Her beatification was the first step toward eventual canonization as a saint.
• The family felt a sense of beatification after years of struggle and hardship.
• Many believers seek spiritual beatification through prayer and devotion.