secularization
|sec-u-lar-i-za-tion|
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/ˌsɛkjʊləraɪˈzeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌsɛkjʊləraɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
(secularize)
remove religious influence
Etymology
'secularization' originates from modern English, specifically formed from the verb 'secularize' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ation'.
'secularize' ultimately comes via Middle French/Modern Latin from Latin 'saecularis' (from 'saeculum' meaning 'age, world'); the element '-ize' is from Greek-derived verb-forming suffix '-izein' through French/Latin, and '-ation' is a common noun suffix from Latin '-atio'.
Initially related to the Latin sense of 'belonging to the age or world (not sacred)', it evolved into meanings referring to removing religious influence or transferring church property to nonreligious control; the modern sense centers on 'making or becoming nonreligious'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process or result of making something secular; removing religious authority, influence, or character from institutions, practices, or places.
The secularization of public schools was a major policy change in the 20th century.
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Noun 2
in sociology, the long-term decline of religious authority and practice in society and the increasing importance of nonreligious (secular) values and institutions.
Many scholars argue that secularization has reshaped politics and culture in modern Europe.
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Noun 3
the transfer of property, functions, or institutions from ecclesiastical (church) control to civil or state control (also called laicization).
The secularization of church lands in that country redistributed large amounts of property to the state.
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Last updated: 2025/12/22 22:27