Definition of BENEDICTION

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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.

Examples of benediction in a Sentence

He dismissed the congregation with a benediction. the priest offered a benediction for the missing children

Recent Examples on the Web Even the dormitory, with its narrow cubicles, and the timetable, which began with morning mass and included daily rosary, with benediction before study during months that were deemed to be especially sacred, hold no terror. — Colm Tóibín, The New York Review of Books, "Nasty, Brutish, and Long," 27 May 2020 The ending is one of the most wrenching spiritual benedictions in all of cinema. — Los Angeles Times, "From ‘Ten Commandments’ to ‘Uncut Gems,’ here are 12 great movies for Passover and Easter," 10 Apr. 2020 Bergamo, Italy, Bishop Francesco Beschi, center, performs a benediction while project director Sergio Rizzini, left, and Bergamo Mayor Giorgio Gori, right, listen. — Janna Brancolini, Los Angeles Times, "In coronavirus-stricken Italy, a new field hospital rises at the foot of the Alps," 5 Apr. 2020 To be able to cook is itself a kind of benediction—an acknowledgment that there is food that can be prepared, and a place to make it in. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "Ina Garten’s Quarantine Playbook," 1 Apr. 2020 At the First Union Center in Philadelphia, where the Republican National Convention was held that year, Bush invited Talat Othman, a Palestinian-American businessman, to deliver a Muslim benediction. — Laila Lalami, Harper's Magazine, "Bright Stars," 30 Mar. 2020 Lowery, who delivered the benediction in President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Obama later that year. — NBC News, "Civil rights icon Rev. Joseph E. Lowery dies at 98," 28 Mar. 2020 The ceremony, which lasted about an hour, included a reading from the Gospel, a sermon, and a benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. — Nicholas Rowan, Washington Examiner, "Pope Francis prays for an end to pandemic in an empty St. Peter's Square," 27 Mar. 2020 On that recent night, Spinks and Brenda made it in time for the benediction and found seats in the balcony. — Josh Peter, USA TODAY, "Former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks is fighting for his life," 16 Mar. 2020

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.