noun
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improvement, instruction, or enlightenment, esp when morally or spiritually uplifting
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the act of edifying or state of being edified
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of edification
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Latin aedificātiōn-, stem of aedificātiō “act or process of building; a building”; in Late Latin also “spiritual improvement”; see origin at edify ( def. ), -fication; see also aedicule ( def. ),
Explanation
If something is for your edification, watch out! It means it's designed to improve you in some way, whether morally, educationally, or spiritually. Originally edification had a strictly religious sense, in the meaning of "building up of the soul," from the Latin term aedificationem, for "construction" or "building." From the same word we get edifice, meaning a building, especially a large and imposing one. So, you see, edification is all about efforts to build you into a more sound human being. Children can have a particular dislike for TV shows or books that are considered edifying by their parents or teachers.
Vocabulary lists containing edification
To Kill a Mockingbird
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 12–15
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Grade 12, List 2
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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.
You might have expected technology billionaires to be well-informed about the world; someone like Musk could, if he chose, easily maintain a large research department for his personal edification.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 5, 2023
Both Martin and his daughter have been bulwarks against a rising tide of benightedness, so personal education and edification have felt like a fitting tribute.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 18, 2023
But it's an element of feel-good edification that fuels much of the star's iconic appeal.
From Salon • Oct. 10, 2022
Feeders have long been a popular way to connect with nature and draw in native species and passing migrants for our edification.
From Scientific American • Mar. 4, 2022
Let’s imagine, for purposes of edification and entertainment, that we are about to go on a journey by rocketship.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
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.
