remission

American  

[ri-mish-uhn] / rɪˈmɪʃ ən /

noun

1. the act of remitting.

2. pardon; forgiveness, as of sins or offenses.

   Synonyms:

   absolution

   Antonyms:

   censure, blame

3. abatement or diminution, as of diligence, labor, intensity, etc.

   Synonyms:

   relaxation

   Antonyms:

   intensification

4. the relinquishment of a payment, obligation, etc.

   Synonyms:

   release

5. Medicine/Medical.

   1. a temporary or permanent decrease or subsidence of manifestations of a disease.

   2. a period during which such a decrease or subsidence occurs.

      The patient's leukemia was in remission.

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remission British  

/ rɪˈmɪʃən, rɪˈmɪtəl /

noun

1. the act of remitting or state of being remitted

2. a reduction of the term of a sentence of imprisonment, as for good conduct

   he got three years' remission

3. forgiveness for sin

4. discharge or release from penalty, obligation, etc

5. lessening of intensity; abatement, as in the severity of symptoms of a disease

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remission Scientific  

/ rĭ-mĭsh′ən /

1. Abatement or subsiding of the symptoms of a disease.

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remission Cultural  

1. A period in the course of a disease when symptoms become less severe.

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Usage

What is remission? In medicine, remission refers to a temporary or permanent decrease in the symptoms of a disease. Remission also refers to a release from a penalty or obligation, as in Fang was relieved when the bank gave him remission for the late fees on his car loan. Remission can also refer to the forgiveness of sin, as in The remission of sin is granted by the Church. Example: After four years of fighting cancer, I finally entered remission last week.

Discover More

The term remission is often used in speaking of sufferers from leukemia or other cancers whose symptoms lessen or disappear. In such a case, the disease is said to be “in remission.” The period of remission may last only briefly or may extend over several months or years.

Other Word Forms

• nonremission
  noun
• remissive
  adjective
• remissively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of remission

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin remissiōn-, stem of remissiō; equivalent to remiss + -ion

Explanation

Remission refers to a stage of lesser intensity, when something subsides or improves. Remission is usually a good thing — like when your cancer is in remission, it means that it is manageable and not getting any worse. Remission comes from the Latin remissionem, meaning "relaxation; a sending back." If something difficult lets up, you'll be able to relax a little. For example, if you are being pelted non-stop during a dodgeball game, you'd hope for a remission so you'd have a minute to take a breath and find your glasses. Another meaning of the noun remission is a payment. Your college tuition remission must be taken care of before you start classes.

Example Sentences

Their hardcore sound combined prog-rock, alternative and grunge - on albums such as Remission, Leviathan and Emperor of Sand - drawing in legions of metal fans and ultimately critical acclaim.

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2025

Remission is less likely to occur in adults than in children, but that doesn’t mean it never happens.

From Washington Post • Mar. 5, 2023

Any spending from the new account, the World Football Remission Fund, will be subject to oversight and independent audit measures, American authorities said.

From New York Times • Aug. 24, 2021

Remission of major depression under deep brain stimulation of the lateral habenula in a therapy-refractory patient.

From Nature • Feb. 13, 2018

The Scripture Doctrine of Remission, denying the doctrine of atonement, and in 1761 succeeded Dr. Aiken as teacher of languages and belles-lettres in the dissenting academy at Warrington.

From A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by Cousin, John W. (John William)

Related Words

• absolution
• amnesty
• exemption
• exoneration
• forgiveness
• reprieve