purification

[ pyoor-uh-fi-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of making something pure and free of any contaminating, debasing, or foreign elements:

   We fund groundbreaking development projects like water purification and clean cookstove technology.

2. the act of making something free of guilt or evil:

   Purification of the soul brings freedom from hatred, selfishness, and greed.

3. the act or process of making something clean and fit for ceremonial or ritual use:

   At this early Shinto temple, the ceremonies consisted chiefly of ritual cleansings and purifications.

Other Words From

• non·pu·ri·fi·ca·tion noun
• re·pu·ri·fi·ca·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of purification¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin pūrificātiōn-, stem of pūrificātiō “ritual cleansing”; purify ( def ), -ation ( def )

Example Sentences

The extensive treatment and purification process, in addition to testing, will ensure that the drinking water will be “incredibly safe once it’s pumped out and served to our customers,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

To assure devotees that its laddus were now rid of defects and fit for gods and humans, the priests held a four-hour-long “purification ritual” on Monday.

From BBC

Part of Trump’s “purification” plan involves the creation of a concentration camp system and the “bloody story” that will be the largest deportation plan in American history.

From Salon

In the water purification world, there’s nothing else quite like it.

From Los Angeles Times

Viola’s imagery showed acts of purification through fire and water and air that neither followed the score nor projected the narrative.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• distillation