salvation

[ sal-vey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of saving or protecting from harm, risk, loss, destruction, etc.
2. the state of being saved or protected from harm, risk, etc.
3. a source, cause, or means of being saved or protected from harm, risk, etc.
4. Theology. deliverance from the power and penalty of sin; redemption.

salvation

/ sælˈveɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of preserving or the state of being preserved from harm
2. a person or thing that is the means of preserving from harm
3. Christianity deliverance by redemption from the power of sin and from the penalties ensuing from it
4. Christian Science the realization that Life, Truth, and Love are supreme and that they can destroy such illusions as sin, death, etc

salvation

¹

1. In Christianity , union or friendship with God and deliverance from original sin (see also original sin ) and damnation . Jesus promised salvation to his followers.

salvation

²

1. Being “saved” among Christians (see also Christian ); salvation is freedom from the effects of the Fall of Man . This freedom comes through faith in Jesus , who is called in the New Testament “the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” The Apostles taught that those who experience salvation in their lifetime on Earth and continue in their friendship with God will inherit eternal happiness in heaven .

Derived Forms

• salˈvational, adjective

Other Words From

• sal·vation·al adjective
• nonsal·vation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of salvation¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English salvatio(u)n, from Late Latin salvātiōn-, stem of salvātiō “deliverance, saving,” from salvāt(us) “saved” (past participle of salvāre “to save”; save ¹ ) + -iō -ion ( def ); replacing Middle English sa(u)vaciun, sauvacion, from Old French sauvacion, from Late Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of salvation¹

C13: from Old French sauvacion, from Late Latin salvātiō, from Latin salvātus saved, from salvāre to save ¹

Example Sentences

Their defense faltered, their offense was sloppy and their only salvation on the way to a 41-30 halftime deficit was Bilodeau’s nine points and seven rebounds.

From Los Angeles Times

Societies and individuals who are experiencing such a crisis of meaning are often attracted to fascists, authoritarians and other such leaders who promise salvation and empowerment.

From Salon

For many Christians, the NAR’s focus on fighting demons is inherently heretical, since it implies that salvation through Christ is insufficient.

From Salon

It was a “sparkling contribution” to criminology, according to the New York Times, and evidence of “salvation of the self,” as Partisan Review magazine put it.

From Los Angeles Times

The Times, describing her role in the hit London production of Mary Mary in 1963, said that she was "the salvation of this fluffy Broadway comedy."

From BBC

Related Words

• deliverance
• emancipation
• liberation
• pardon
• redemption
• restoration