absolution

American  

[ab-suh-loo-shuhn] / ˌæb səˈlu ʃən /

noun

1. act of absolving; a freeing from blame or guilt; release from consequences, obligations, or penalties.

2. state of being absolved.

3. Roman Catholic Theology.

   1. a remission of sin or of the punishment for sin, made by a priest in the sacrament of penance on the ground of authority received from Christ.

   2. the formula declaring such remission.

4. Protestant Theology. a declaration or assurance of divine forgiveness to penitent believers, made after confession of sins.

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absolution British  

/ -trɪ, æbˈsɒljʊtərɪ, ˌæbsəˈluːʃən /

noun

1. the act of absolving or the state of being absolved; release from guilt, obligation, or punishment

2. Christianity

   1. a formal remission of sin pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of penance

   2. the prescribed form of words granting such a remission

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Other Word Forms

• absolutory
  adjective
• nonabsolution
  noun

Etymology

Origin of absolution

1175–1225; Middle English absolucion < Latin absolūtiōn- (stem of absolūtiō ) acquittal. See absolute, -ion

Explanation

Absolution is a religious concept for purging someone of sin, granting them absolution. The word is used for other kinds of forgiveness too. When you sin or make a mistake, you usually want absolution — which is like forgiveness. In many religions, if you confess your sins, you can be granted absolution: the sin is forgiven, forgotten, wiped clean. Usually, the sinning person has to do some kind of penance to atone for the sin to achieve absolution. Absolution is a serious concept: if you jaywalked, you probably won't worry about absolution. If you stole money from your sick grandmother, absolution is going to be more important.

Example Sentences

Art can have immutable significance to us regardless of what its creators are alleged to have done; thus, the supposed absolution offered by the notion of separating the art from the artist.

From Salon • May 14, 2026

Did writing the book make you think about aging or absolution differently at all?

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

Unlike all those other Aronofsky characters, who must annihilate themselves in search of absolution or perfection, Hank will probably be okay.

From Salon • Aug. 29, 2025

While absolution is central to Welby's lifelong faith, his forgiveness of Smyth may sit uncomfortably with some survivors, who have accused him of failing to engage with them.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2025

I have told this story many times, not out of bravado, but out of a need for absolution.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Related Words

• forgiveness