redemption
Americannoun
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an act of atoning for guilt, a fault, or a mistake, or the state of having atoned.
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an act or the state of being rescued.
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Christianity. deliverance from sin; salvation.
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repurchase of something sold, such as to a pawn shop.
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paying off, as of a mortgage, bond, or note.
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recovery by payment, as of something pledged.
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conversion of paper money into coins.
noun
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the act or process of redeeming
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the state of being redeemed
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Christianity
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deliverance from sin through the incarnation, sufferings, and death of Christ
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atonement for guilt
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conversion of paper money into bullion or specie
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removal of a financial obligation by paying off a note, bond, etc
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( as modifier )
redemption date
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of redemption
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English redempcioun, from Middle French redemption, from Late Latin redēmptiōn-, stem of redēmptiō “deliverance, buyback,” from Latin redēmpt(us) “bought back” (past participle of redimere “to buy back, repurchase”; see redeem) + -iō -ion
Explanation
Redemption is the buying back of something. You might try for redemption by attempting to buy back a bike you sold, or you might attempt to buy back your soul after you steal someone else’s bike. Redemption comes from the Latin word redimere, a combination of re(d)-, meaning “back,” and emere, meaning “buy.” Redemption is what some people claim happens to your soul when you're saved from evil forces. You might pray for redemption — to the tooth fairy, to Zeus, or to some other kind of invisible being — in the hopes that an all-powerful being can save your soul. Redemption can also refer to the repayment of a debt.
Vocabulary lists containing redemption
Night
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Grade 9, List 2
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Vocabulary from Beyoncé's "Lemonade"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For Porro, the goal was a measure of redemption as well.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
Platner galvanized an enthusiastic base of supporters and weathered months of controversies surrounding his personal life by selling a story of redemption and what he called “healthy” masculinity.
From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2026
Think Ronaldo's redemption with Brazil in Yokohama in 2002.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
Private-credit funds have been contending with a surge of redemption requests since high-profile defaults last year sparked worries about the health of their investments.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
That Eberechi would wait for him, that her waiting for him was proof of his redemption, gave him comfort as he healed.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
