exaltation

noun

ex·​al·​ta·​tion ˌeg-ˌzȯl-ˈtā-shən 

ˌek-ˌsȯl-

1

: an act of exalting : the state of being exalted

2

: an excessively intensified sense of well-being, power, or importance

3

: an increase in degree or intensity

exaltation of virulence of a virus

Examples of exaltation in a Sentence

feelings of joy and exaltation

Recent Examples on the Web

An exaltation of the summers of his youth, Bad Bunny’s fourth album also serves as a crash course in Caribbean musical syncretism, in which elements of reggaetón, trap, house, and Dominican mambo are craftily shaken and stirred. —Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024

Mao embraced these inclinations and pushed them to their extreme, encouraging absurd displays of exaltation from his subjects. —Dan Xin Huang, Foreign Affairs, 3 May 2019

Dated using the innovative technique of mud wasp nest analysis, this discovery not only cements the Kimberley's exaltation in the annals of prehistoric art but also teases with the promise of future revelations about early human creativity. —Paul Jebara, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024

By that time, Taylor had experienced and endured, in a few whirlwind years, a lifetime of joy and heartbreak, exaltation and calamity. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 31 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

exaltation

noun

ex·​al·​ta·​tion ˌeg-ˌzȯl-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act of exalting : the state of being exalted

2

: a greatly heightened sense of personal well-being, power, or importance

Medical Definition

exaltation

noun

ex·​al·​ta·​tion ˌeg-ˌzȯl-ˈtā-shən  ˌek-ˌsȯl- 

1

a

: marked or excessive intensification of a mental state or of the activity of a bodily part or function

b

: an abnormal sense of personal well-being, power, or importance : a delusional euphoria

2

: an increase in degree or intensity

exaltation of virulence of a virus