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• crucifixion
  crucifixion

  noun

  the act of crucifying.
• Crucifixion
  Crucifixion

  noun

  the crucifying of Christ at Calvary, regarded by Christians as the culminating redemptive act of his ministry

crucifixion

American  

[kroo-suh-fik-shuhn] / ˌkru səˈfɪk ʃən /

noun

crucifixions plural

1. the act of crucifying.

2. the state of being crucified.

3. (initial capital letter) the death of Jesus upon the Cross.

4. a picture or other representation of this.

5. severe and unjust punishment or suffering; persecution.

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Crucifixion ¹ British  

/ ˌkruːsɪˈfɪkʃən /

noun

1. the crucifying of Christ at Calvary, regarded by Christians as the culminating redemptive act of his ministry

2. a picture or representation of this

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crucifixion ² British  

/ ˌkruːsɪˈfɪkʃən /

noun

1. a method of putting to death by nailing or binding to a cross, normally by the hands and feet, which was widespread in the ancient world

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Crucifixion Cultural  

1. The death of Jesus on the cross. After he had been betrayed by Judas Iscariot and arrested, Jesus was condemned by his fellow Jews (see also Jews) as a false Messiah and turned over to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate to be crucified. Pilate found no reason to condemn Jesus; he tried to convince the people that it was absurd to regard Jesus as “King of the Jews” and offered to release him. But when the people insisted that Jesus be put to death, Pilate washed his hands to indicate that Jesus' fate was no longer his responsibility and turned Jesus over to be crucified. Roman soldiers then placed a crown of thorns on the head of Jesus and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews.” He was made to carry a wooden cross up the hill of Calvary near Jerusalem (see also Jerusalem), where he was nailed to the cross and was placed between two thieves, who were also crucified. Shortly before his death, he said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” After his death, the followers of Jesus placed his body in a tomb.

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Jesus had told his disciples that he would sacrifice his life so that believers' sins might be forgiven. Christians (see also Christian) believe that his death on the cross and his Resurrection three days later make salvation (see also salvation) possible.

To “wash one's hands of it” means to refuse to take responsibility for an action or event.

Having a “cross to bear” means any painful responsibility that is forced upon one.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• crucifixions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of crucifixion

1375–1425; late Middle English < Late Latin crucifīxiōn- (stem of crucīfixiō ). See crucifix, -ion

Explanation

Crucifixion was a method of execution that involved leaving a person tied or nailed to a beam until they died. The ancient Romans used crucifixion as a public way to punish enemies. In ancient Rome, crucifixion was a terrible and gruesome way to publicly punish treason, piracy, and crimes committed by enslaved people against their enslavers. The word comes from Latin roots crux, meaning "cross," and figere, meaning "fasten." Crucifixion, essentially fastening a person to a large cross, is most commonly associated with Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified after being convicted of the crime of blasphemy.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crucifixion Crucifixion crucifixions

It commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, and is historically a day of sorrow, fasting, and reflection.

From Barron's ● Apr. 2, 2026

The church, in Jerusalem, was originally built in the fourth century on what is purported to be the site of Christ’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2025

The arcane theological dispute concerned the precise meaning of Jesus’ suffering during crucifixion, which Pynchon wrote was not the true source of sinners’ redemption — the larger example of the prophet’s life was.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2025

"Because Friday was the day of the crucifixion, Fridays were always regarded as a day of penance and abstinence," he said.

From BBC ● Dec. 14, 2024

A Child of Our Time intersperses quasi-operatic narrative passages with arrangements of African-American spirituals, as Bach had done with Lutheran hymn-chorales in his oratorios on the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Think of the centurions who cast lots for Christ’s robes on the day of the Crucifixion in 33 A.D.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026

On that day in 1st-century Judea, Resurrection and Ascension followed Crucifixion.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 15, 2022

Born in Dublin in 1909, Bacon didn’t see artistic success until he painted his wartime nightmare of twisted gargoyles, Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 17, 2019

One of its more unusual attractions is a sea cave with a painting of the Crucifixion inside.

From BBC ● May 6, 2019

The church was packed with women in black, each one stoically suffering the three hours of the Crucifixion with the tortured Christ.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

Church leaders in the Philippines have frowned on the crucifixions and self-flagellations, saying Filipinos can show their deep faith and religious devotion without hurting themselves and by doing charity work instead, such as donating blood.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 6, 2023

We were so tired of carrying our personal crucifixions around our necks and calling that a marriage.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 23, 2020

In the Philippines, Asia’s bastion of Catholicism, masses and other solemn gatherings have been put on hold, including folk rituals that feature real-life crucifixions and usually draw thousands of tourists and penitents.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 10, 2020

There is relatively little archaeological evidence of crucifixions, the method used to execute Jesus Christ, according to Christian tradition.

From Fox News ● Nov. 30, 2018

Like the carvings and stained-glass windows in European cathedrals, the art in San Lorenzo and other Olmec cities consisted mainly of powerful, recurring images—the crucifixions and virgins, so to speak, of ancient Mesoamerica.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann