consagrar

to consecrate

consagrar(kohn-sah-grahr)

transitive verb

1. (to make sacred)

a. to consecrate

Durante la ceremonia, el sacerdote consagrará el panteón donde será enterrado el expresidente.

During the ceremony, the priest will consecrate the cemetery where the ex-president will be buried.

El obispo consagró la iglesia con agua bendita.

The bishop consecrated the church with holy water.

2. (to offer)

a. to dedicate

Esa capilla está consagrada a la Virgen.

That chapel is dedicated to the Virgin.

3. (to commit time and effort to)

a. to dedicate

Anne se hizo misionera y consagró su vida a ayudar a los pobres.

Anne became a missionary and dedicated her life to helping the poor.

b. to devote

El científico consagró sus años de juventud a la investigación.

The scientist devoted his youth to his research.

4. (to give recognition to)

a. to establish

La película lo consagró como un director serio, pero fue un fracaso de taquilla.

The film established him as a serious director, but it was a box-office flop.

b. to confirm

Quizá sea este el proyecto que la consagre como la gran arquitecta que es.

This might be the project that confirms her as the great architect she is.

consagrarse

pronominal verb

5. (to commit oneself to; used with "a")

a. to devote oneself to

Carlos dejó de lado su vida personal para consagrarse a su trabajo.

Carlos put his personal life on hold to devote himself to his job.

b. to dedicate oneself to

Fue al leer los cuentos de Borges que decidí que quería consagrarme a la escritura.

It was when I read Borges's short stories that I decided I wanted to dedicate myself to writing.

6. (to gain recognition)

a. to establish oneself

Se consagró como campeón de ajedrez cuando ganó el campeonato mundial en 2013.

He established himself as a chess champion when he won the world championship in 2013.