remission

noun

re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce remission (audio)
Synonyms of remissionnext
1
: the act or process of remitting
2
: a state or period during which something is remitted

Examples of remission in a Sentence

The patient is in remission. a temporary remission of symptoms He was given remission for good behavior.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Both are now in remission and part of a relatively new ambassador program with Allegheny Health Network. Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 17 June 2026 People who took the drug were also 54% more likely to enter depression remission after the four-week trial ended compared to the placebo group. Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 June 2026 In January 2025, the mother of three shared that her cancer was officially in remission. Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 17 June 2026 In 2022, Neill underwent chemotherapy for angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, which is currently in remission. Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for remission

Word History

Etymology

Middle English remissioun "release from obligation, forgiveness," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French remissiun, borrowed from Latin remissiōn-, remissiō "sending back, release, abatement, cancellation (of a debt)" (Late Latin, "forgiveness, as of sins"), from remittere "to send back, release, relax, waive (a debt, punishment)" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at remit entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of remission was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Remission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/remission. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

remission

noun
re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce remission (audio)
1
: the act or process of remitting
2
: a state or period during which something is remitted

Medical Definition

remission

noun
re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce remission (audio)
: a state or period during which the symptoms of a disease are abated
cancer in remission after treatment
compare arrest, cure entry 1 sense 1, intermission

Legal Definition

remission

noun
re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce remission (audio)
: the act or process of remitting

More from Merriam-Webster on remission

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster