salvation

American  

[sal-vey-shuhn] / sælˈveɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of saving or protecting from harm, risk, loss, destruction, etc.

2. the state of being saved or protected from harm, risk, etc.

3. a source, cause, or means of being saved or protected from harm, risk, etc.

4. Theology. deliverance from the power and penalty of sin; redemption.

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salvation British  

/ sælˈveɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of preserving or the state of being preserved from harm

2. a person or thing that is the means of preserving from harm

3. Christianity deliverance by redemption from the power of sin and from the penalties ensuing from it

4. Christian Science the realization that Life, Truth, and Love are supreme and that they can destroy such illusions as sin, death, etc

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salvation ¹ Cultural  

1. Being “saved” among Christians (see also Christian); salvation is freedom from the effects of the Fall of Man. This freedom comes through faith in Jesus, who is called in the New Testament “the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” The Apostles taught that those who experience salvation in their lifetime on Earth and continue in their friendship with God will inherit eternal happiness in heaven.

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salvation ² Cultural  

1. In Christianity, union or friendship with God and deliverance from original sin (see also original sin) and damnation. Jesus promised salvation to his followers.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsalvation noun
• salvational adjective

Etymology

Origin of salvation

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English salvatio(u)n, from Late Latin salvātiōn-, stem of salvātiō “deliverance, saving,” from salvāt(us) “saved” (past participle of salvāre “to save”; see save ¹) + -iō -ion ( def. ); replacing Middle English sa(u)vaciun, sauvacion, from Old French sauvacion, from Late Latin, as above

Explanation

Salvation is the act of saving from sin or evil, or sometimes just from an unpleasant situation. The word salvation comes from the Latin salvare, "to save." Each of the monotheistic religions has a different idea about the way to achieve salvation. Salvation doesn't always have to do with theology; if a freak snowstorm on your camping trip has you worried about hypothermia, salvation can come in the form of an abandoned house with a working fireplace.

Example Sentences

Honoring her great-grandfather Cole Grove with the canary metaphor of the former, both songs celebrate personal salvation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

Islamic fasting is oriented toward submission to divine will, while Christian penance is animated by gratitude for the incarnate God who suffered, died and rose again for the salvation of humanity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

When I think back on most of those meals, I remember not salvation but a certain chill.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

For wealthier Cubans, solar panels are the salvation.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

The tunnel, the tracks, the desperate souls who found salvation in the coordination of its stations and timetables—this was a marvel to be proud of.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead

Related Words

• deliverance
• emancipation
• liberation
• pardon
• redemption
• restoration