salvation

noun

sal·​va·​tion sal-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce salvation (audio)
1
a
: deliverance from the power and effects of sin
b
: the agent or means that effects salvation
c
Christian Science : the realization of the supremacy of infinite Mind over all bringing with it the destruction of the illusion of sin, sickness, and death
2
: liberation from ignorance or illusion
3
a
: preservation from destruction or failure
b
: deliverance from danger or difficulty
salvational
sal-ˈvā-shnəl How to pronounce salvation (audio)
-shə-nᵊl
adjective

Examples of salvation in a Sentence

Tourism has been the salvation of the island. we spent the night in the cellar praying for salvation from the tornadoes
Recent Examples on the Web Passages from the Haggadah, a formal Hebrew text, is also read during Seder, which retells the salvation and redemption of the ancient Israelites. Coleby Phillips, The Arizona Republic, 9 Mar. 2024 After the Lampoon began publishing in 1970, Mr. McConnachie looked to it as his career salvation. Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2024 Following the death of her estranged addict mother and her partner’s relapse and incarceration, Selby embarks on an extremely raw pilgrimage of self-discovery and salvation. Alex Ritman, Variety, 6 Feb. 2024 Beyond the return of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who played for the Lions from 2009-20, and the revenge game at hand for Lions quarterback Jared Goff, this game will be a moment of salvation for a city that has longed for playoff football to return – suburbs or not. Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024 For those of some faiths, the act of suffering can be an experience providing for purification, redemption, and salvation. Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Bursting out of the red dirt clay of their home state that gives the Red Clay Strays their name, the band is the musical manifestation of the push and pull between salvation and redemption. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2024 The chorus then continued, saying while salvation can’t be bought, congregation members thought of the church relatively positively. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 1 Feb. 2024 The left, alarmed at the prospect of a second Trump presidency, is looking to the legal system for salvation, hoping that prosecutors will put a stop to his political juggernaut. Ken Bensinger, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'salvation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English salvacion, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin salvation-, salvatio, from salvare to save — more at save

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Dictionary Entries Near salvation

Cite this Entry

“Salvation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salvation. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

salvation

noun
sal·​va·​tion sal-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce salvation (audio)
1
: the saving of a person from sin
2
: something that saves
3
: the saving from danger or evil

More from Merriam-Webster on salvation

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