redemption

[ ri-demp-shuh n ]

/ rɪˈdɛmp ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR redemption ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act of redeeming or atoning for a fault or mistake, or the state of being redeemed.

deliverance; rescue.

Theology. deliverance from sin; salvation.

atonement for guilt.

repurchase, as of something sold.

paying off, as of a mortgage, bond, or note.

recovery by payment, as of something pledged.

conversion of paper money into specie.

Nearby words

redeeming feature, redefine, redefinition, redeliver, redemand, redemption, redemption center, redemption yield, redemptioner, redemptive, redemptorist

Origin of redemption

1300–50; Middle English redempcioun (< Middle French redemption) < Late Latin redēmptiōn- (stem of redēmptiō), equivalent to Latin redēmpt(us) (past participle of redimere to redeem) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms

re·demp·tion·al, adjectivere·demp·tion·less, adjectivenon·re·demp·tion, nounpost·re·demp·tion, noun

pre·re·demp·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for redemption

It was about the hope and longing for redemption and reconciliation that lies somewhere within each of us.
During Advent, Lots of Waiting, But Not Enough Hope|Gene Robinson|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Excerpted from Rebel Yell: The Violence, Passion, and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson by S.C. Gwynne.
Stonewall Jackson, VMI’s Most Embattled Professor|S. C. Gwynne|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Throughout her life, she faced public ridicule, legal persecution and, eventually, redemption through a PhD in clinical sexology.
Whip It: Secrets of a Dominatrix|Justin Jones|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Giving prisoners a chance at redemption is a good idea; but we were too careless, and innocent people suffered because it it.
Want President Hillary? Then Primary Her|Jeff Greenfield|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

They were flawed and beautiful men in circuitous search of redemption, and Newman wore the characters effortlessly.
The Stacks: The Eyes of Winter: Paul Newman at 70|Peter Richmond|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Should redemption take place at par, and at once, the credit of the United States could not fail to be strengthened.
The New Nation|Frederic L. Paxson
Coyle Pardon me, the legal estate you have your equity of redemption.
Our American Cousin|Tom Taylor
The redemption of the city depended upon taking its control away from Schmitz.
'The System,' as uncovered by the San Francisco Graft Prosecution|Franklin Hichborn
And even the glorious truths of redemption are not in themselves efficacious.
The Expositor's Bible: The First Book of Samuel|W. G. Blaikie
I confidently look to them for important coperation in this great work of redemption.
Charles Sumner; his complete works, volume 18 (of 20)|Charles Sumner

British Dictionary definitions for redemption

redemption

/ (rɪˈdɛmpʃən) /

noun

the act or process of redeeming

the state of being redeemed

Christianity

deliverance from sin through the incarnation, sufferings, and death of Christ
atonement for guilt

conversion of paper money into bullion or specie

removal of a financial obligation by paying off a note, bond, etc
(as modifier)redemption date

Derived Formsredemptional, redemptive or redemptory, adjectiveredemptively, adverb

Word Origin for redemption

C14: via Old French from Latin redemptiō a buying back; see redeem

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for redemption

redemption

mid-14c., "deliverance from sin," from Old French redemcion (12c.) and directly from Latin redemptionem (nominative redemptio) "a buying back, releasing, ransoming" (also "bribery"), noun of action from past participle stem of redimere "to redeem, buy back," from red- "back" (see re-) + emere "to take, buy, gain, procure" (see exempt). The -d- is from the Old Latin habit of using red- as the form of re- before vowels. In the Mercian hymns, Latin redemptionem is glossed by Old English alesnisse.