bless

verb

blessed ˈblest How to pronounce bless (audio) also blest ˈblest How to pronounce bless (audio) ; blessing

transitive verb

1
religion : to hallow or consecrate by religious rite or word
asked the priest to bless their marriage
Bless this home.
2
religion : to hallow with the sign of the cross
He blessed himself before liftoff.
3
: to invoke divine care for
bless your heart
used in the phrase bless you to wish good health especially to one who has just sneezed
4
a
: praise, glorify
bless his holy name
b
: to speak well of : approve
5
: to confer prosperity or happiness upon
God has blessed us with four children.
6
archaic : protect, preserve
Bless me from marrying a usurer!Shakespeare
7
: endow, favor
blessed with athletic ability

Examples of bless in a Sentence

The priest blessed their marriage at the wedding. The water for the baptism has been blessed. The priest blessed the baby I held in my arms.
Recent Examples on the Web So, we all were blessed with a signature Z red carpet slay. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 11 Mar. 2024 Kim and Everything Everywhere costar Jamie Lee Curtis presented at Hong’s 2022 ceremony, which featured a traditional Chinese lion dance from the Shaolin Entertainment Group to bless the occasion. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 There was one problem: Alatorre and others in his machine had already blessed Polanco to replace Torres. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 If commissioners bless the master planning document, their action will tee up consideration by the California Coastal Commission, which has the final say on whether the plan will become the new law of the bayfront land. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2024 In my case the games and competition became a career I’m forever blessed to have and began as a kid, rooting for the underdog, which enabled me to see the possibility in anything. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 In a Catholic diocese, a cathedral serves as the bishop's home church and the site of important religious events for the diocese such as the ordination of new priests and the annual Chrism Mass, where the oils used in sacraments throughout the diocese are blessed, traditionally on Holy Thursday. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 Texas has been blessed all the while to have one of the strongest nursery industries in America thanks to the leadership of TNLA. Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2024 And the low-cost state, blessed with mild weather, is drawing a flood of new residents, including retirees, especially from nearby California. Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bless.' 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, from Old English blētsian, from blōd blood; from the use of blood in consecration

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bless was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bless

Cite this Entry

“Bless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bless. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bless

verb
blessed ˈblest How to pronounce bless (audio) also blest ˈblest How to pronounce bless (audio) ; blessing
1
: to make holy : hallow
2
: to make the sign of the cross upon or over
3
: to ask divine care or protection for
4
: to praise or honor as holy
5
: to make successful or happy
6
Etymology

Old English blētsian, blēdsian "to bless, to consecrate (originally with blood)," derived from blōd "blood"

More from Merriam-Webster on bless

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