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

Universal Friend believed that God had chosen Jemima Wilkinson’s body to serve as the vessel to be his messenger of salvation. —Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026

Will this new path bring salvation or tragedy? —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026

Stroheim’s career was more precarious than ever, but the prospect of another independent venture—with Swanson as producer, presumably backed by Kennedy’s riches—held out the prospect of salvation. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026

Their European dropout neighbors are hoping for freedom, healing and salvation from Armageddon. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Jan. 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
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

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