Standard Lemma guide

enshrine

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • US: /ɪnˈʃɹaɪn/
  • UK: /ɪnˈʃɹʌɪn/
  • UK: /ɛnˈʃɹʌɪn/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: EH0 N SH R AY1 N Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To enclose (a sacred relic etc.) in a shrine or chest.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To preserve or cherish (something) as though in a shrine; to preserve or contain, especially with some reverence.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To protect (an idea, ideal, or philosophy) within an official law or treaty.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

Topics: law

Examples

  • Other measures, such as compensation for victims, will be enshrined in the proposed new law.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

enclose in a shrine

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the saint's bones were enshrined in the cathedral

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: shrine

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: enclose, close in, inclose, shut in

5

verb

Meaning 5

hold sacred

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: saint

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: reverence, fear, revere, venerate

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h1én Proto-Italic *en Proto-Italic *en- Latin in- Old French en-bor. Middle English en- English en- English shrine English enshrine From en- + shrine.

Across languages

Translations

24 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Armenian: սափորել (sapʻorel) — to enclose (a sacred relic etc.) in a shrine or chest
  • French: enchâsser — to enclose (a sacred relic etc.) in a shrine or chest
  • German: but see in einem Schrein bewahren — to enclose (a sacred relic etc.) in a shrine or chest
  • Greek: φυλάσσω ιερά (fylásso ierá) — to enclose (a sacred relic etc.) in a shrine or chest
  • Italian: racchiudere — to enclose (a sacred relic etc.) in a shrine or chest
  • Russian: помеща́ть в раку (pomeščátʹ v raku) — to enclose (a sacred relic etc.) in a shrine or chest
  • Russian: помеща́ть в ковче́г (pomeščátʹ v kovčég) — to enclose (a sacred relic etc.) in a shrine or chest
  • Armenian: փայփայել (pʻaypʻayel) — to preserve or cherish (something) as though in a shrine
  • Armenian: պահպանել (pahpanel) — to preserve or cherish (something) as though in a shrine
  • Armenian: պահել (pahel) — to preserve or cherish (something) as though in a shrine
  • Bulgarian: щадя (štadja) — to preserve or cherish (something) as though in a shrine
  • Bulgarian: тача (tača) — to preserve or cherish (something) as though in a shrine
  • German: verehren — to preserve or cherish (something) as though in a shrine
  • Greek: διαφυλάσσω (diafylásso) — to preserve or cherish (something) as though in a shrine
  • Russian: бе́режно храни́ть (bérežno xranítʹ) — to preserve or cherish (something) as though in a shrine
  • Russian: лелеять (lelejatʹ) — to preserve or cherish (something) as though in a shrine
  • German: verankern — to protect within an official law or treaty
  • Greek: κατοχυρώνω (katochyróno) — to protect within an official law or treaty
  • Irish: cumhdaigh — to protect within an official law or treaty
  • Italian: consacrare — to protect within an official law or treaty
  • Italian: sancire — to protect within an official law or treaty
  • Russian: закреплять (zakrepljatʹ) — to protect within an official law or treaty
  • Spanish: consagra — to protect within an official law or treaty
  • Swedish: stadfästa — to protect within an official law or treaty