benediction

American  

[ben-i-dik-shuhn] / ˌbɛn ɪˈdɪk ʃən /

noun

benedictions plural

1. an utterance of good wishes.

2. the form of blessing pronounced by an officiating minister, as at the close of divine service.

3. a ceremony by which things are set aside for sacred uses, as a church, vestments, or bells.

4. Also called Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.  (usually initial capital letter) a service consisting of prayers, at least one prescribed hymn, censing of the congregation and the Host, and a blessing of the congregation by moving in the form of a cross the ciborium or monstrance containing the Host.

5. the advantage conferred by blessing; a mercy or benefit.

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benediction British  

/ ˌbɛnɪˈdɪkʃən /

noun

1. an invocation of divine blessing, esp at the end of a Christian religious ceremony

2. a Roman Catholic service in which the congregation is blessed with the sacrament

3. the state of being blessed

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• prebenediction
  noun
• benedictory
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• benedictions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of benediction

1400–50; late Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin benedictiōn- (stem of benedictiō ). See Benedictus, -ion

Explanation

A benediction is a blessing — either a formal one that you might hear in a church service or an informal one that you might utter when you take any leap of faith. The noun benediction comes from the Latin roots bene, meaning "well" and diction meaning "to speak" — literally to speak well of. Although it is most often used in the religious sense of prayer and blessing — especially a ceremonial prayer at the end of a church service — it can mean any expression of good wishes. "Good luck on the test!" the mother cried in benediction as her son set off for school.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

benediction benedictions

And on Friday, the Chicago Sun-Times gave the ultimate benediction with its cover.

From Salon ● May 10, 2025

It was a space that famously could turn an aspiring comedian into a successful one overnight, if given the host’s benediction — a wave to come to sit.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2024

Amid the rooster benediction ceremony, Notre Dame’s new restoration chief, Philippe Jost, also detailed pioneering measures taken to safeguard the iconic cathedral against future fires – in rare comments to the press.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 16, 2023

When the men removed the screens with the same perfect synchronization, Charles was revealed, kneeling in a simple white shirt, surrounded by four gold-and-white-robed clerics, their hands raised in benediction.

From New York Times ● May 6, 2023

Propaganda images in Nazi Germany variously depicted the Fuhrer as a Montsalvat knight, or indeed as Parsifal himself, with the dove of benediction hovering above him.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Those dueling benedictions point to the challenge ahead for Warsh, who is inheriting a burgeoning inflation problem that could make it difficult to persuade his new colleagues that the low rates Trump wants are advisable.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

Asked specifically about church blessings for same-sex unions, Francis suggested they could be allowed as long as such benedictions aren’t confused with sacramental marriage.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 3, 2023

Scrawled along the length of the wall, in pastel chalk, were appeals to community solidarity, affirmations that Black Lives Matter, and benedictions for the 10 lives lost in the Buffalo shooting.

From Scientific American ● Dec. 22, 2022

He is probably only a teenager, but he very coolly makes the rounds of handshakes, daps, and benedictions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 17, 2021

It was hard to say what she ever thought of Our Father’s benedictions, in church or out, so I pondered more interesting mysteries, such as her eye.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• invocation