atonement

[ uh-tohn-muhnt ]

noun

1. satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends.
2. (sometimes initial capital letter) Theology. the doctrine concerning the reconciliation of God and humankind, especially as accomplished through the life, suffering, and death of Christ.
3. Christian Science. the experience of humankind's unity with God exemplified by Jesus Christ.
4. Archaic. reconciliation; agreement.

atonement

/ əˈtəʊnmənt /

noun

1. satisfaction, reparation, or expiation given for an injury or wrong
2. often capital Christian theol
   1. the reconciliation of man with God through the life, sufferings, and sacrificial death of Christ
   2. the sufferings and death of Christ
3. Christian Science the state in which the attributes of God are exemplified in man
4. obsolete.
   reconciliation or agreement

Word History and Origins

Origin of atonement¹

First recorded in 1505–15; from phrase at one, at oon “in harmony” + -ment, as translation of Medieval Latin adūnāmentum; compare Middle English onement “unity”

Word History and Origins

Origin of atonement¹

C16: from Middle English phrase at onement in harmony

Example Sentences

“Blitz” is Durran’s fourth collaboration with Ronan across 17 years since they first worked together on “Atonement.”

From Los Angeles Times

It does not cost anything, just a public act of atonement for past sins.

From BBC

Kalyan is also performing what he called 11 days of atonement rituals to rectify the "great injustice".

From BBC

A gifted cinematic presence since her Oscar-nominated “Atonement” debut at age 12, Saoirse Ronan has played everything from a young assassin raised among wolves in “Hanna” to a resident of “Grand Budapest Hotel’s” imaginary Zubrowka.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s continued to use this language that evokes the theological logic of substitutionary atonement, where he bravely offers himself to be sacrificed on behalf of his followers.

From Salon

Related Words

• penance
• redemption
• reparation