An “offering” (korban) is something that is taken from the domain of the ordinary and unholy and raised to the realm of holiness by being offered to God.
Thus, any act involving a mundane object or force that is done toward a holy end is a korban, for it elevates a mundane resource and makes it a part of holiness, like the korbanot (“offerings”) in the Beit hamikdash (“Holy Temple”).
—Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz