benediction

American  

[ben-i-dik-shuhn] / ˌbɛn ɪˈdɪk ʃən /

noun

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

• benedictory adjective
• prebenediction noun

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

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

From Salon • May 10, 2025

Ellen Burstyn closed the luncheon with a benediction to celebrate the honorees, whom she praised.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 12, 2024

“For this reason, pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of benediction, requested by one or more persons, that do not transmit a mistaken conception of marriage,” he wrote.

From Washington Times • Oct. 2, 2023

Instead of bitterness, the sisters offered up a benediction:

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2023

When she had straightened the bed to his liking the big Greek inclined his head so deliberately that the gesture seemed one of benediction rather than a simple nod of thanks.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

Related Words

• invocation