lamentation

American  

[lam-uhn-tey-shuhn] / ˌlæm ənˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of lamenting or expressing grief.

2. a lament.

3. (used with a singular verb) Lamentations, a book of the Bible, traditionally ascribed to Jeremiah. Lam.

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lamentation British  

/ ˌlæmɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. a lament; expression of sorrow

2. the act of lamenting

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Etymology

Origin of lamentation

First recorded in 1325–75; from Middle French lamentacion and Latin lāmentātiōn- (stem of lāmentātiō ), equivalent to lāmentāt(us) (past participle of lāmentārī ) + -iōn- verbal noun suffix; see lament, -ion;

Explanation

Lamentation usually occurs when someone dies or a tragedy occurs. At the funeral, you could hardly hear the speaker above the wails of lamentation. From the Latin lamenta, meaning “weeping” or “wailing,” lamentation means more than just shedding a few tears. Lamentation is when grief pours out. If you lose a nice pencil that's no cause for lamentation, but if you lose all your money in a stock market crash, that might be. If someone tells you you'll be late to your own funeral, you can always say: “At least I'll get to enjoy the lamentation!”

Example Sentences

These are the Annunciation, the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi; Jesus praying on the Mount of Olives, the Crucifixion and the Lamentation; and, finally, the Resurrection, Ascension and Pentecost.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

The Bab el-Mandeb, known for being treacherous to navigate even in the most peaceable of times, is said to mean the "Gate of Lamentation," and these days, it’s living up to its name.

From Salon • Jul. 14, 2024

Birth is suffering; Decay is suffering; Death is suffering; Sorrow, Lamentation, Pain, Grief, and Despair, are suffering; not to get what one desires, is suffering.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

But a third piece, The Lamentation of Christ, tempered our suspicions.

From The Guardian • Aug. 2, 2011

Lord Quellon, White Widow, Lamentation, Woe, Leviathan, Iron Lady, Reapers Wind, and War- hammer, with six more ships behind, two of them storm- wracked and under tow.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin