redemption

American  

[ri-demp-shuhn] / rɪˈdɛmp ʃən /

noun

1. an act of atoning for guilt, a fault, or a mistake, or the state of having atoned.

2. an act or the state of being rescued.

3. Christianity. deliverance from sin; salvation.

4. repurchase of something sold, such as to a pawn shop.

5. paying off, as of a mortgage, bond, or note.

6. recovery by payment, as of something pledged.

7. conversion of paper money into coins.

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redemption British  

/ rɪˈdɛmpʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of redeeming

2. the state of being redeemed

3. Christianity

   1. deliverance from sin through the incarnation, sufferings, and death of Christ

   2. atonement for guilt

4. conversion of paper money into bullion or specie

5. 1. removal of a financial obligation by paying off a note, bond, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      redemption date

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Other Word Forms

• nonredemption
  noun
• postredemption
  noun
• preredemption
  noun
• redemptional
  adjective
• redemptionless
  adjective
• redemptively
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of redemption

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English redempcioun, from Middle French redemption, from Late Latin redēmptiōn-, stem of redēmptiō “deliverance, buyback,” from Latin redēmpt(us) “bought back” (past participle of redimere “to buy back, repurchase”; see redeem) + -iō -ion

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Explanation

Redemption is the buying back of something. You might try for redemption by attempting to buy back a bike you sold, or you might attempt to buy back your soul after you steal someone else’s bike. Redemption comes from the Latin word redimere, a combination of re(d)-, meaning “back,” and emere, meaning “buy.” Redemption is what some people claim happens to your soul when you're saved from evil forces. You might pray for redemption — to the tooth fairy, to Zeus, or to some other kind of invisible being — in the hopes that an all-powerful being can save your soul. Redemption can also refer to the repayment of a debt.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

redemption

This year, the fund added some redemption options to attract investors to arbitrage this spread, according to Ciampaglia.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

Blue Owl Credit Income Corp. saw estimated third-quarter redemption requests of $3.1 billion, representing 16.8% of shares.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

Kershaw earned his redemption in 2020, winning both of his World Series starts as the Dodgers won their first championship since 1988.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

The crisis erupted in mid-September when several funds said they were unable to satisfy investor redemption demands, sending Istanbul's main stock exchange tumbling.

From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026

And who knew what might come of it—righteous disruption or transformational redemption?

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

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Related Words

• amends
• atonement
• compensation
• expiation
• penance
• recompense
• redress
• reparation
• repentance
• restitution
• shrift

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