can·on·ize canonizes canonizing canonized in BRIT, also use canonise If a dead person is canonized, it is officially announced by the Catholic Church that he or she is a saint. Joan of Arc was finally canonized by Pope Benedict XV in 1920. to officially state that a dead person is a saint
add in the canon or calendar of the saints; "He was canonized not long after his death" in the Catholic church; declare (a dead person) to be a saint; "After he was shown to have performed a miracle, the priest was canonized" treat as a sacred person; "He canonizes women