a meeting in which a spiritualist attempts to communicate with the spirits of the dead.
a session or sitting, as of a class or organization.
a meeting at which spiritualists attempt to receive messages from the spirits of the dead
a meeting of a society
See resume 2.
1795–1805; < French: session, equivalent to sé-, base of seoir to sit 1 (< Latin sedēre ) + -ance -ance
A seance is a kind of magical ritual that involves summoning ghosts or spirits of people who have died. You and your friends might have a seance in an attempt to speak to Amelia Earhart. Someone who believes in spirits that linger even after people's physical bodies are gone may also be enthusiastic about seances. A typical seance involves a group of people sitting around a table, sometimes including a medium who claims an ability to communicate with spirits and relay messages to their loved ones. In French, séance means "a sitting," and it's often simply used to mean "a session," like une séance de cinéma, "a movie session."
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Composer-turned-magician-turned-spiritual guide BC Smith is behind ‘Phasmagorica,’ an event that attempts to create the feel of a vintage séance.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025
She, too, appreciated the historical emphasis, specifically the way a musician performs after the séance as guests mingle with one another and share their experience.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2025
The segment covers story themes, character motivations, casting, period costuming, shooting in Venice, the non-rehearsed séance scene and Mr. Branagh’s multifunctional role in the film.
From Washington Times • Dec. 7, 2023
No, there is no séance with the supernatural nor summoning of spirits, just a jangle of regrets.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 23, 2023
“The séance will be tonight,” the soothsayer repeated, more forcefully this time.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
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.
