Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 14, 2024 is: venerate \VEN-uh-rayt\ verb To venerate someone or something is to feel or show deep respect for them because they are considered great, holy, etc. // Her best-selling trilogy led to her becoming a writer venerated by generations of admirers. See the entry > Examples: “Vietnam is the world’s third-largest rice exporter, and the staple importance to Vietnamese culture is palpable in the Mekong Delta. The fertile patchwork of green fields crisscrossed by silvery waterways has helped stave off famine since the Vietnam War ended in 1975. Rice isn’t just the mainstay of most meals, it is considered a gift from the gods and continues to be venerated.” — Aniruddha Ghosal, The Associated Press, 22 Apr. 2024 Did you know? Among the pantheon of ancient Roman deities, has any been so venerated—that is, deeply respected—over the centuries as Venus, goddess of love and beauty? Of course, one may personally prefer Vulcan or, um, Robigus (the god associated with wheat blight), but from Venus de Milo to the classic pop song “Venus,” Venus has inspired far more enduring reverence. To venerate something or someone—whether an artist or a saint—is to hold them in similarly high regard, which makes sense given venerate’s origins. The word comes from the Latin verb venerārī, which can mean “to solicit the good will of,” “to worship,” “to pay homage to,” and “to hold in awe.” That verb, in turn, is related to—you guessed it—Venus.
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 14, 2024 is: venerate \VEN-uh-rayt\ verb To venerate someone or something is to feel or show deep respect for them because they are considered great, holy, etc. // Her best-selling trilogy led to her becoming a writer venerated by generations of admirers. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venerate) Examples: “Vietnam is the world’s third-largest rice exporter, and the staple importance to Vietnamese culture is palpable in the Mekong Delta. The fertile patchwork of green fields crisscrossed by silvery waterways has helped stave off famine since the Vietnam War ended in 1975. Rice isn’t just the mainstay of most meals, it is considered a gift from the gods and continues to be venerated.” — Aniruddha Ghosal, The Associated Press, 22 Apr. 2024 Did you know? Among the [pantheon](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pantheon) of ancient Roman deities, has any been so venerated—that is, deeply respected—over the centuries as [Venus](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Venus-goddess), goddess of love and beauty? Of course, one may personally prefer [Vulcan](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vulcan) or, um, [Robigus](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Robigalia) (the god associated with wheat blight), but from [Venus de Milo](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Venus-de-Milo) to the classic pop song “[Venus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4-1ASpdT1Y),” Venus has inspired far more enduring reverence. To venerate something or someone—whether an artist or a saint—is to hold them in similarly high regard, which makes sense given venerate’s origins. The word comes from the Latin verb venerārī, which can mean “to solicit the good will of,” “to worship,” “to pay homage to,” and “to hold in awe.” That verb, in turn, is related to—you guessed it—[Venus](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Venus).