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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

"Repatriation would not be moral absolution, if someone came back it wouldn't prevent them from potentially being prosecuted for what they've done," he said.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2025

Suh and Mones both raise the point the comic’s boosters bring up each time they petition for industry absolution, which is that he was never charged with a crime.

From Salon • Jul. 12, 2024

And “Happy for You” is a post-breakup song that radiates absolution for all involved.

From New York Times • May 3, 2024

When the penance had reached the appropriate level for a particular sin, the penitent was granted absolution in advance, though he might never be called on to commit the sin.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

• forgiveness