benediction

[ ben-i-dik-shuh n ]

/ ˌbɛn ɪˈdɪk ʃən /

SEE MORE 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.

Nearby words

benedict, ruth, benedict, ruth fulton, benedict, saint, benedictine, benedictines, benediction, benedictional, benedictory, benedictus, benef., benefaction

Origin of benediction

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

Related formspre·ben·e·dic·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for benediction

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
Even so, there was a mystical note missing until they brought on the 87-year-old Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery for the benediction.
Why Black Preachers Are Better|Howell Raines|January 22, 2009|DAILY BEAST

We parted with reciprocal expressions of regret and benediction.
Travels in the Interior of Africa, Vol. 2 [of 2]|Mungo Park
The Canon was shaken by it himself, his voice trembled in the benediction that followed.
The Helpmate|May Sinclair
May all those dear to you participate in this benediction, and in the joys and riches of this world and the next!
Juliette Drouet's Love-Letters to Victor Hugo|Louis Guimbaud
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament usually follows Vespers.
Mary, Help of Christians|Various
To-night, in the solemn pause of Benediction, she asked for Peter Coleman's love.
Saturday's Child|Kathleen Norris

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 Formsbenedictory, 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

Word Origin and History for benediction

benediction

c.1400, from Latin benedictionem (nominative benedictio), noun of action from bene dicere "to speak well of, bless," from bene "well" (see bene-) + dicere "to speak" (see diction). The oldest sense in English is of grace before meat. The older French form, beneiçon passed into Middle English as benison.

benediction

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of benediction

Examples from the Web for benediction

British Dictionary definitions for benediction

benediction

noun

Word Origin for benediction

Word Origin and History for benediction

benediction