To perform, treat, or mark something with formal rituals and ceremony; to make something ceremonial or formal in nature.
From ceremony + -alize (to make or render). The -alize suffix derives from Greek -izein, becoming productive in English for creating verbs meaning 'to make' or 'to treat as.'
When societies ceremonialize something—like turning a birthday into an elaborate ritual or making a daily action formal—they're saying 'this matters, pay attention,' which is why every culture ceremorializes different things.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.