holy water UK /ˈhəʊli ˌwɔːtə/US /ˈhoʊli ˌwɔtəɹ/ noun1 •In certain Christian churches, water that has been sanctified by a priest or bishop for the purpose of baptism or for the blessing of persons, places, or things.[W]ith our signs of the cross and holy waters, our crucifixes and prayers to the saints, our scapulars and medals, our so humiliating auricular confession — 1889 formsholy waters