benediction
Americannoun
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an utterance of good wishes.
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the form of blessing pronounced by an officiating minister, as at the close of divine service.
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a ceremony by which things are set aside for sacred uses, as a church, vestments, or bells.
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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.
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the advantage conferred by blessing; a mercy or benefit.
noun
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an invocation of divine blessing, esp at the end of a Christian religious ceremony
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a Roman Catholic service in which the congregation is blessed with the sacrament
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the state of being blessed
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Shrinking,” through Goldstein and Louis’ subplot, makes it simple to grant him our sympathy and benediction while admitting that in real life, it would not be so easy.
From Salon • Dec. 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
Instead of bitterness, the sisters offered up a benediction:
From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2023
A benediction is an offering of good wishes, though it can also be a prayer offered in, well, blessing.
From New York Times • Apr. 30, 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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
