blessing

[bles-ing]

noun

1. the act or words of a person who blesses.

2. a special favor, mercy, or benefit.

   the blessings of liberty.

   Synonyms: bounty, profit, gain, boon, advantage

3. a favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness.

4. the invoking of God's favor upon a person.

   The son was denied his father's blessing.

5. praise; devotion; worship, especially grace said before a meal.

   The children took turns reciting the blessing.

6. approval or good wishes.

   The proposed law had the blessing of the governor.

blessing

/ ˈblɛsɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of invoking divine protection or aid

2. the words or ceremony used for this

3. a short prayer of thanksgiving before or after a meal; grace

4. Also called: brachah.  brocho. Judaism

   1. a short prayer prescribed for a specific occasion and beginning "Blessed art thou, O Lord…"

   2. a section of the liturgy including a similar formula

5. approval; good wishes

   her father gave his blessing to the marriage

6. the bestowal of a divine gift or favour

7. a happy event or state of affairs

   a blessing in disguise

Word History and Origins

Origin of blessing¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English blessinge, blessunge, Old English bletsung, bledsung; equivalent to bless + -ing ¹

Idioms and Phrases

• give thanks for small blessings
• mixed blessing

Example Sentences

But that dream was so strong, and I had the blessing and encouragement from them.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Doing the show — I mean, what a blessing to be able to reveal all of you — your most vulnerable, your ugliest parts.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Producers then took a wide berth around the region—until Comstock showed up with new technology, data and Jones’s blessing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"We draw strength, motivation, and blessing from both," said the Hungarian prime minister.

Read more on BBC

For history-loving travelers, this has been a mixed blessing, as the city-state has gained a reputation for knocking down historic structures for malls with an energy that outstrips Las Vegas.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• asset 
• boon 
• gift 
• good fortune www.thesaurus.com
• good luck 
• kindness 
• miracle