benediction

American  

[ben-i-dik-shuhn] / ˌbɛn ɪˈdɪk ʃən /

noun

benedictions plural

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

Derived Forms

• prebenediction
  noun
• benedictory
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• benedictions
  plural

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

See Examples For:

benediction benedictions

She was the chosen successor of Rep. Sala Burton, a short-timer who took over the House seat held for decades by her late husband, Philip, and who delivered a personal benediction from her deathbed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2025

But even he receives a mote of benediction, especially when he commits sins he can’t undo.

From Salon ● Sep. 7, 2025

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

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 12, 2024

“Because when a benediction is requested, it is expressing a request for help from God, a plea to be able to live better, a trust in a father who can help us to live better.”

From Washington Times ● Oct. 2, 2023

Father Antonio took the first envelope with a sigh and sketched the sign of benediction with his hands, but Esteban had already turned to leave.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

Those dueling benedictions point to the challenge ahead for Warsh, who is inheriting a burgeoning inflation problem that could make it difficult to persuade his new colleagues that the low rates Trump wants are advisable.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

Asked specifically about church blessings for same-sex unions, Francis suggested they could be allowed as long as such benedictions aren’t confused with sacramental marriage.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 3, 2023

Scrawled along the length of the wall, in pastel chalk, were appeals to community solidarity, affirmations that Black Lives Matter, and benedictions for the 10 lives lost in the Buffalo shooting.

From Scientific American ● Dec. 22, 2022

First they pray, repeating two benedictions Hicks wrote on Stankewitz’s behalf.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 17, 2019

It was hard to say what she ever thought of Our Father’s benedictions, in church or out, so I pondered more interesting mysteries, such as her eye.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• invocation