Definition of benediction
1 religion : the invocation (see invocation 1a) of a blessing a prayer of benediction; especially : the short blessing with which public worship is concluded dismissed the congregation with a benediction
2 : something that promotes goodness or well-being … the Mexican sun is no pleasant benediction like our northern sun … — Gertrude Diamant
3 often capitalized, Christianity : a Roman Catholic or Anglo-Catholic devotion (see devotion 1c) including the exposition of the eucharistic Host in the monstrance and the blessing of the people with it
4 : an expression of good wishes … yearning for the benediction of the New York critics … — Time
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Examples of benediction in a Sentence
He dismissed the congregation with a benediction.
the priest offered a benediction for the missing children
Recent Examples of benediction from the Web
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The benediction was given by Pastor Milligan of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'benediction'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
In benediction, the bene root is joined by another Latin root, dictio, "speaking", so the word's meaning becomes something like "well-wishing". Perhaps the best-known benediction is the so-called Aaronic Benediction from the Bible, which begins, "May the Lord bless you and keep you". An important section of the Catholic Mass was traditionally known as the Benedictus, after its first word (meaning "blessed"). It was St. Benedict who organized the first Christian monasteries; many Christians have been baptized Benedict in his honor, and 16 popes have taken it as their papal name.
Other Christian Religious Terms
BENEDICTION Defined for English Language Learners
benediction
playDefinition of benediction for English Language Learners
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: a prayer that asks for God's blessing
BENEDICTION Defined for Kids
benediction
playDefinition of benediction for Students
1 : a short blessing said especially at the end of a religious service
2 : an expression of good wishes
Learn More about benediction
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See words that rhyme with benediction Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for benediction Spanish Central: Translation of benediction Nglish: Translation of benediction for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about benediction
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