benediction

[ ben-i-dik-shuhn ]

/ ˌbɛn ɪˈdɪk ʃən /

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See synonyms for benediction on Thesaurus.com

noun

an utterance of good wishes.

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

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

(usually initial capital letter)Also called Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. 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.

the advantage conferred by blessing; a mercy or benefit.

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Origin of benediction

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

OTHER WORDS FROM benediction

pre·ben·e·dic·tion, noun

Words nearby benediction

benedict, Benedict I, Benedict II, Benedict III, Benedictine, benediction, benedictional, Benedict IV, Benedict IX, benedictory, Benedict, Ruth

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use benediction in a sentence

He sets the pace for The Card Counter, which is what you might call a pensive fairytale, a story about guilt that can be burned away only with the benediction of love.
Oscar Isaac Smolders in the Pensive Romantic Thriller The Card Counter|Stephanie Zacharek|September 2, 2021|Time
He makes a little tart for himself, folding nubs of hard butter into a pile of flour, a few granules of which float down around his pig comrade’s radiant, upturned face like a benediction.
In Pig, Nicolas Cage Plays a Grouchy, Meditative Hermit—and Gives His Best Performance in Years|Stephanie Zacharek|July 15, 2021|Time
But even before this celebrity benediction, Brooklyn was thriving in the City of Lights.
How Brooklyn Invaded Paris—Next Stop, the World|Brandon Presser|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The resulting pictures of Angelina, dipping her head as she receives the Sovereign's benediction, have gone around the world.
WTF Is Damgelina Doing At The Palace?|Tom Sykes|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Why do politicians and policy-makers need the benediction of celebrity to do their jobs?
Why Does Congress Listen to Celebrities like Ben Affleck?|Tim Teeman|February 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Where their benediction fell, their flocks were sure to go—or that was the idea.
Religious-Right Leaders Say Santorum, But Voters Flock to Gingrich|John Avlon|January 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Finally one Christmas the queen sent over a gift of a Labrador retriever, indicating a social benediction of sorts.
Billionaire Divorcee's Happy Ending|Sandra McElwaine|January 24, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Those who have not received the benediction are pressing and elbowing each other to get near the altar.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
Those who have received the benediction are instantly away to the Opera House or the wood of Boulogne.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
The Rokurreas rose with one accord, and each turned to the men he was near to give them his parting benediction and salutation.
Confessions of a Thug|Philip Meadows Taylor
Let us take farewell like men, without a murmur and without a tear, and let me receive the benediction of a father before I die.
My Ten Years' Imprisonment|Silvio Pellico
Man had wedded himself to Nature, and his works seemed to receive her seal and benediction.
The Daughters of Danaus|Mona Caird

British Dictionary definitions for benediction

benediction

/ (ˌbɛnɪˈdɪkʃən) /

noun

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

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

the state of being blessed

Derived forms of benediction

benedictory, adjective

Word Origin for benediction

C15: from Latin benedictio, from benedīcere to bless; see benedicite

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

benediction

Origin of benediction

OTHER WORDS FROM benediction

Words nearby benediction

Words related to benediction

How to use benediction in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for benediction

Derived forms of benediction

Word Origin for benediction