indulgence
noun
in·dul·gence
in-ˈdəl-jən(t)s 
1
a
: the act of indulging in something
especially
: self-indulgence
b
: something indulged in
walk off gastronomic indulgences—
Barbara L. Michaels
Barbara L. Michaels2
a
: an indulgent act
b
: an extension of time for payment or performance granted as a favor
4
: remission of part or all of the temporal and especially purgatorial punishment that according to Roman Catholicism is due for sins whose eternal punishment has been remitted and whose guilt has been pardoned (as through the sacrament of reconciliation)
Examples of indulgence in a Sentence
She lived a life of selfish indulgence.
his indulgence in forbidden pleasures
She found that she couldn't afford the indulgences she had once enjoyed.
For our anniversary we allowed ourselves the indulgence of an elegant dinner at our favorite restaurant.
Good food is my only indulgence.
Recent Examples on the Web
When cooking a simple bowl of rice, adding oil and salt to the cooking water is an easy way to bring indulgence, and, in Cantonese home kitchens, this is often a way to repurpose oil previously used for deep-frying.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Once reserved for royalty thanks to its intricate weave and costly production, velvet has long been the fabric of indulgence.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2025
This year, our Peppermint Brownie Bark Shake and Pretzel Bacon SONIC Smasher bring a perfect mix of festive indulgence and crave-worthy comfort.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
But at 35,000 feet, rarefied business class isn’t just indulgence.
—Chris Dong, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indulgence
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The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Once reserved for royalty thanks to its intricate weave and costly production, velvet has long been the fabric of indulgence.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2025
This year, our Peppermint Brownie Bark Shake and Pretzel Bacon SONIC Smasher bring a perfect mix of festive indulgence and crave-worthy comfort.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
But at 35,000 feet, rarefied business class isn’t just indulgence.
—Chris Dong, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indulgence
Cite this Entry
“Indulgence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indulgence. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indulgence
noun
in·dul·gence
in-ˈdəl-jən(t)s
1
: the act of indulging : the state of being indulgent
2
: an indulgent act
3
: something indulged in
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