Immaculate Conception

noun

1

: the conception of the Virgin Mary in which as decreed in Roman Catholic dogma her soul was preserved free from original sin by divine grace

2

: December 8 observed as a Roman Catholic feast in commemoration of the Immaculate Conception

Examples of Immaculate Conception in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Immaculate Conception School in Highland Park was one of the first, in 1978. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026

As part of the festivities, people build bonfires outside their homes in a tradition which has special significance in Guatemala City due to its association with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception honoring the city’s patron saint. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025

Candlelight procession: Old Town’s Immaculate Conception Church hosts a candlelight procession at 5 p.m. Nov. 2 for Día de los Muertos. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025

Charlie Gallagher, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Washington, D.C., has traveled to Rome for the ceremony. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Immaculate Conception

• apperception
• contraception
• interception
• misconception
• misperception
• preconception
• deception
• exception
• inception
• perception
• reception
• intussusception

Kids Definition

Immaculate Conception

noun

: December 8 observed as a Roman Catholic festival in honor of the conception of the Virgin Mary as free from original sin