remission

noun

re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce remission (audio)
Synonyms of remissionnext
1
: the act or process of remitting
2
: a state or period during which something is remitted

Examples of remission in a Sentence

The patient is in remission. a temporary remission of symptoms He was given remission for good behavior.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
How could a diagnosis of a condition with no remission that demands a lifetime of constant oversight become a fierce weapon for victory? Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 24 June 2026 Kim Adamski’s husband, takes a biologic TNF inhibitor, a specialty medicine keeping him in remission from Crohn’s. Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2026 Caitlin, 24, went into remission twice after chemotherapy and a transplant after her first cancer diagnosis in April 2025. Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026 Nelson is doing fine now In 2000, Nelson was diagnosed with HIV and sarcoidosis, a condition that went into remission until a severe case of Legionnaires’ disease in 2021 reactivated it, damaging both his lungs and liver. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for remission

Word History

Etymology

Middle English remissioun "release from obligation, forgiveness," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French remissiun, borrowed from Latin remissiōn-, remissiō "sending back, release, abatement, cancellation (of a debt)" (Late Latin, "forgiveness, as of sins"), from remittere "to send back, release, relax, waive (a debt, punishment)" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at remit entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of remission was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Remission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/remission. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

remission

noun
re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce remission (audio)
1
: the act or process of remitting
2
: a state or period during which something is remitted

Medical Definition

remission

noun
re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce remission (audio)
: a state or period during which the symptoms of a disease are abated
cancer in remission after treatment
compare arrest, cure entry 1 sense 1, intermission

Legal Definition

remission

noun
re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce remission (audio)
: the act or process of remitting

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