noun
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improvement, instruction, or enlightenment, esp when morally or spiritually uplifting
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the act of edifying or state of being edified
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of edification
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Latin aedificātiōn-, stem of aedificātiō “act or process of building; a building”; in Late Latin also “spiritual improvement”; see origin at edify ( def. ), -fication; see also aedicule ( def. ),
Explanation
If something is for your edification, watch out! It means it's designed to improve you in some way, whether morally, educationally, or spiritually. Originally edification had a strictly religious sense, in the meaning of "building up of the soul," from the Latin term aedificationem, for "construction" or "building." From the same word we get edifice, meaning a building, especially a large and imposing one. So, you see, edification is all about efforts to build you into a more sound human being. Children can have a particular dislike for TV shows or books that are considered edifying by their parents or teachers.
Vocabulary lists containing edification
To Kill a Mockingbird
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 12–15
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Grade 12, List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It certainly is Edification to hear him talk.
From School for Scandal by Sheridan, Richard Brinsley
Be a Man ever so fond at Constantinople of Romances and Histories of Gallantry, 'tis expected they should serve not only for Pleasure but for Edification.
From Prefaces to Fiction by Warburton, William
You tell me my sixth argument is, Edification.
From Works of John Bunyan — Volume 02 by Bunyan, John
For the Use, Edification and Comfort of the Saints in Publick and Private, especially in New-England . . .
From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 2 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various
Edification predominates, but one or two amusing items may be noted.
From With the Harmony to Labrador Notes of a Visit to the Moravian Mission Stations on the North-East Coast of Labrador by La Trobe, Benjamin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
