1. Something considered to have a special holy significance: Arthur was studying the sacraments of the ancient people of Roman times.
2. In Christianity, a rite that is considered to have been established by Jesus Christ to bring grace to those participating in or receiving it: In some Protestant Churches, the sacraments are baptism and the holy Communion.

In the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, the sacraments usually include penance, confirmation, holy orders, matrimony, and the anointing of the sick.

Also, in some Christian churches, marriage and baptism are sacraments that are regarded as being very important in the lives of their followers.

3. Etymology: from Latin sacramentum, "a consecrating"; usually, an "oath"; from sacare, "to consecrate"; from sacer, "holy, sacred".