salvation

noun

sal·​va·​tion sal-ˈvā-shən 

1

a

: deliverance from the power and effects of sin

b

: the agent or means of such saving or deliverance

c

Christian Science : the realization of the supremacy of infinite Mind over all bringing with it the destruction of the illusion of sin, sickness, and death

2

: liberation from ignorance or illusion

3

a

: preservation from destruction or failure : deliverance from danger or difficulty

The shaded garden offered salvation from the sun's heat.

b

: something that saves or delivers from danger or difficulty

Tourism was the city's salvation.

salvational

sal-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of salvation

• rescue
• redemption

Examples of salvation in a Sentence

Tourism has been the salvation of the island.

we spent the night in the cellar praying for salvation from the tornadoes

Recent Examples on the Web

When something as harmless as double texting is seen as a cringey faux pas, salvation takes a backseat to saving face. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026

What began as an academic dispute became a public controversy, and questions about indulgences soon expanded into larger debates about salvation, Scripture, and papal authority. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Oct. 2026

No one in the city has turned to the Sixers for salvation for years, accustomed to a process that never proceeded. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Many before and since have grappled with the price of salvation, but rarely has such a theologically vast decision felt this intimate. — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English salvacion, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin salvation-, salvatio, from salvare to save — more at save

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for salvation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

salvation

noun

sal·​va·​tion sal-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the saving of a person from sin

2

: something that saves

3

: the saving from danger or evil