intercession

noun in·ter·ces·sion \ ˌin-tər-ˈse-shən \

|Updated on: 29 Jul 2018

Definition of intercession

1 : the act of interceding

2 : prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another

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intercessional

play \ˌin-tər-ˈsesh-nəl, -ˈse-shə-nᵊl\ adjective

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intercessor

play \ˌin-tər-ˈse-sər\ noun

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intercessory

play \ˌin-tər-ˈses-rē, -ˈse-sə-rē\ adjective

See intercession defined for kids

Recent Examples of intercession from the Web

Now the Vatican must confirm a miracle attributed to Hlond's intercession for him to be beatified, and a second one for him to be made a saint.

— Fox News, "Polish priest set for sainthood criticized for anti-Semitism," 4 July 2018
The status allows Angelelli to be beatified — the first step toward sainthood — without having a miracle attributed to his intercession.

— Fox News, "Pope clears way for beatification of slain Argentina bishop," 9 June 2018
In March of this year, the pope recognized a miracle attributed to Archbishop Romero’s intercession.

— francis x. rocca, WSJ, "Pope Francis to Make El Salvador’s Oscar Romero a Saint," 19 May 2018
With regard to the American 21st century, Gaddis’s favorite novelists and philosophers perhaps argue against both optional intercessions abroad and moralistic lead-from-behind recessionals.

— victor davis hanson, New York Times, "When to Wage War, and How to Win: A Guide," 20 Apr. 2018
The segment describing Johnson's rough life and Garrido's intercession aired to the minor chords of an electric guitar.

— maya dukmasova, Chicago Reader, "News / Housing Cop celebrated for helping homeless veteran was leading opponent of veterans’ housing," 19 Mar. 2018
Her parents prayed for the intercession of St. Rita, the patron saint of hopeless causes — and the little girl was healed.

— atlanta life, ajc, "‘Good bye, Aunt Rita! I’ll see you on the beach!’," 9 Mar. 2018
The pope recognized a miracle attributed to the intercession of Archbishop Romero, who was shot while celebrating Mass in 1980, at the beginning of El Salvador’s civil war that lasted until 1992.

— francis x. rocca, WSJ, "Pope Clears Way to Make El Salvador’s Oscar Romero a Saint," 7 Mar. 2018
Kuczynski was saved only by the intercession of Alberto Fujimori and his son, Kenji, who persuaded nine congressmen to sit out the key vote.

— marcela valdes, New York Times, "The Elder Statesman of Latin American Literature — and a Writer of Our Moment," 20 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intercession.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.