benediction
[ ben-i-dik-shuhn ]
/ ˌbɛn ɪˈdɪk ʃən /
Save This Word!
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.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “ITS” VS. “IT’S”!
Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between it’s and its in this crafty quiz!
Question 1 of 12
On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters’; ______ not even comparable.
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, nounWords 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. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for benediction
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, adjectiveWord 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