ablution

American  

[uh-bloo-shuhn] / əˈblu ʃən /

noun

1. a cleansing with water or other liquid, especially as a religious ritual.

2. the liquid thus used.

3. Usually ablutions a washing of the hands, body, etc.

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ablution British  

/ əˈbluːʃən /

noun

1. the ritual washing of a priest's hands or of sacred vessels

2. (often plural) the act of washing (esp in the phrase perform one's ablutions )

3. informal  (plural) military a washing place

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Other Word Forms

• ablutionary adjective

Etymology

Origin of ablution

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin ablūtiōn- (stem of ablūtiō ), equivalent to ablūt ( us ), past participle of abluere ( abluent ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Officials now stress awareness over prohibition: households are urged to clean tanks and pools, use clean warm water for nasal ablutions, keep children away from garden sprinklers and avoid unsafe ponds.

From BBC

But by the time I’m done with all my ablutions and the flossing and all the things, it’s definitely almost dark.

From Los Angeles Times

"Understanding concepts such as ghusl – ablution – the distinctions in prostration between genders, and the prerequisites for prayer are crucial."

From BBC

His elaborate morning ablutions with the hair and the make-up routine alone make any kind of imprisonment unthinkable.

From Salon

New York City’s estimated 275 mosques were among the first to host or counsel Muslim immigrants seeking shelter, halal food and water spigots used in pre-prayer ablutions.

From Seattle Times