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