enthrone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “enthrone” mean?
to place a king, queen, or other important person on a throne, especially during a formal ceremony.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to place a king, queen, or other important person on a throne, especially during a formal ceremony.
To give someone a position of great power or authority; to hold something in the highest regard.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The word is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly formal, ceremonial, and often associated with monarchy or religious leadership in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both regions, reserved for formal, historical, or ceremonial contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “enthrone” in a Sentence
[someone] enthrones [someone/something] (as [title/role])[someone/something] is enthroned (as [title/role])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “enthrone” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Archbishop of Canterbury will enthrone the new monarch in Westminster Abbey.
- They planned to enthrone the young prince after the period of mourning.
American English
- The ceremony to enthrone the new bishop will be held at the National Cathedral.
- The council voted to enthrone efficiency as the company's core principle.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'The board enthroned the new CEO with great ceremony.'
Academic
Used in historical, religious, and political studies contexts to describe the formal installation of leaders.
Everyday
Very rare. Would only be used when discussing monarchies or in metaphorical hyperbole.
Technical
Used in heraldry and historical re-enactment contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “enthrone”
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'The king will enthrone tomorrow' is incorrect). Correct: 'The king will be enthroned tomorrow.'
- Confusing with 'enthral/enthrall' (to captivate).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The noun form is 'enthronement' (the ceremony or act of enthroning someone).
Primarily, yes, but it can be used for other religious leaders like popes or bishops, and metaphorically for ideas or principles.
'Crown' focuses on placing the crown on the head, a specific part of the ceremony. 'Enthrone' is broader, encompassing the entire ceremony of installation on the throne and the bestowal of authority.
Yes, it can be used ironically or critically, e.g., 'The committee's decision enthroned bureaucracy, making every simple process slow and difficult.'
to place a king, queen, or other important person on a throne, especially during a formal ceremony.
Enthrone is usually formal in register.
Enthrone: in British English it is pronounced /ɪnˈθrəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɪnˈθroʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “enthrone reason/common sense (metaphorical use meaning to give supreme authority to an idea)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of ENTERING the THRONE. To EN-THRONE someone is to place them ON the throne.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE IS BEING ELEVATED; AUTHORITY IS A SEATED POSITION.
Practice
Quiz
In its metaphorical sense, what does 'enthrone' mean?