lamentation

[lam-uhn-tey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of lamenting or expressing grief.

2. a lament.

3. (used with a singular verb),  Lamentations, a book of the Bible, traditionally ascribed to Jeremiah. Lam.

lamentation

/ ˌlæmɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. a lament; expression of sorrow

2. the act of lamenting

Word History and Origins

Origin of lamentation¹

First recorded in 1325–75; from Middle French lamentacion and Latin lāmentātiōn- (stem of lāmentātiō ), equivalent to lāmentāt(us) (past participle of lāmentārī ) + -iōn- verbal noun suffix; lament, -ion;

Example Sentences

But he offered no lamentations and later he said he wasn’t disappointed: “Not a bit.”

From Los Angeles Times

But his lamentation turned to admiration in the coming days, as he began to post about the loss to his 55,000 followers on Instagram.

From Los Angeles Times

Its common name is weeping fig, and in these flayed skins the lamentation resonates.

From Los Angeles Times

In a sign of the strength of the “Barbie” soundtrack, the winner’s stiffest Oscars competition may have been another song from the film, “I’m Just Ken,” Ryan Gosling’s doleful lamentation.

From New York Times

Zion Church, coaches her to experience the truth of the mother’s lamentation scene.

From Los Angeles Times