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

From despair to salvation and then back again, the picture at the end of Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United was of flailing limbs, both on the touchline, as players mobbed late, late equaliser-scorer Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and in the stands. — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

To all you long-suffering Halos fans, light that baby up, because salvation is at hand. — Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Only Ann Patchett could write such a pleasant, amiable novel about death, and only a horse could serve as her essential metaphor for peaceful salvation. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Investing in John’s future is how the family finds salvation. — Matt Minton, Variety, 31 Aug. 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