conviction

American  

[kuhn-vik-shuhn] / kənˈvɪk ʃən /

noun

1. a fixed or firm belief.

   No clever argument, no persuasive fact or theory could make a dent in his conviction in the rightness of his position.

2. the act of convicting someone, as in a court of law; a declaration that a person is guilty of an offense.

3. the state of being convicted.

4. the act of convincing a person by argument or evidence.

5. the state of being convinced.

   Antonyms:

   uncertainty, doubt

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conviction British  

/ kənˈvɪkʃən /

noun

1. the state or appearance of being convinced

2. a fixed or firmly held belief, opinion, etc

3. the act of convincing

4. the act or an instance of convicting or the state of being convicted

5. to be convincing

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conviction Idioms  

1. see courage of one's convictions.

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Related Words

See belief.

Other Word Forms

• convictional adjective
• nonconviction noun
• preconviction noun
• proconviction adjective
• reconviction noun

Etymology

Origin of conviction

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Late Latin convictiōn-, stem of convictiō “proof (of guilt)” from convict(us) “convinced, conquered” (past participle of convincere; convince ) + -iō -ion ( def. )

Explanation

A conviction is something certain: a judgment of guilty in court and a strong belief are both convictions. In the legal world, when a judge or jury convicts someone of a crime — finding them guilty — this is called a conviction. Prosecutors try to get convictions, and defense attorneys try to prevent them. Also, convictions are beliefs — principles. The United States was founded on many convictions, such as the belief in free speech and separation of church and state. When you have a conviction, you're certain of something.

Example Sentences

Last week, we asked how you keep your sense of origin and conviction steady in a shifting world in response to my column about memory.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

But more importantly, in the U.S. at least, investors are operating under the conviction that both the U.S. and Iran are motivated to find an offramp for the conflict.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Glas was sentenced to 13 years in prison last year for corruption, his fourth conviction since 2017.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Price's latest conviction and driving disqualification was dealt with in the Single Justice Procedure, a secretive court process where magistrates deal with less serious criminal cases behind closed doors.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

“Then you want me not to let some previous conviction injure the receptivity of my mind with regard to some strange matter. Do I read your lesson aright?”

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

Related Words

• confidence
• faith
• feeling
• principle
• sentiment
• view