ablution

[uh-bloo-shuhn]

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.

ablution

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• ablutionary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ablution¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ablution¹

C14: ultimately from Latin ablūere to wash away

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.

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on Seattle Times