perdition

noun

per·​di·​tion pər-ˈdi-shən 

1

a

: eternal damnation

b

: hell

2

a

archaic : utter destruction

b

obsolete : loss

Did you know?

Perdition began life as a word meaning "utter destruction"; that sense is now archaic, but it provides a clue about the origins of the word. "Perdition" was borrowed into English in the 14th century from Anglo-French perdiciun and ultimately derives from the Latin verb perdere, meaning "to destroy." "Perdere" was formed by combining the prefix per- ("through") and "dare" ("to give"). Other descendants of that Latin dare in English include "date," "edition," "render," and "traitor."

Synonyms

• hell
• inferno

Examples of perdition in a Sentence

sinners condemned to eternal perdition

simple stupidity is not enough to doom one to perdition

Recent Examples on the Web

California policymakers continue to make laws and allow regulators to contrive rules that make California a land of perdition rather than destination for enterprise because they have been captured by left-of-center interests. —Kerry Jackson, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025

And there’s nothing to do but flee as though escaping perdition or howl as though hunting salvation. —Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025

Yet, the measure was promptly shuffled into the House Rules Committee, where it could be buried to perdition. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025

Appropriately for a fantasy of perdition suited to this nihilistic century, the logic of eternal punishment remains opaque. —Elisa Gonzalez, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English perdicion, from Anglo-French perdiciun, Late Latin perdition-, perditio, from Latin perdere to destroy, from per- through + dare to give — more at per-, date

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing perdition

• down the road/path to perdition

Rhymes for perdition

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• cognition
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition

Kids Definition

perdition

noun

per·​di·​tion pər-ˈdish-ən 

1

: eternal damnation

2

: hell sense 2