noun
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improvement, instruction, or enlightenment, esp when morally or spiritually uplifting
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the act of edifying or state of being edified
Other Word Forms
- edificatory adjective
Etymology
Origin of edification
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Latin aedificātiōn-, stem of aedificātiō “act or process of building; a building”; in Late Latin also “spiritual improvement”; see origin at edify ( def. ), -fication; see also aedicule ( def. ),
Explanation
If something is for your edification, watch out! It means it's designed to improve you in some way, whether morally, educationally, or spiritually. Originally edification had a strictly religious sense, in the meaning of "building up of the soul," from the Latin term aedificationem, for "construction" or "building." From the same word we get edifice, meaning a building, especially a large and imposing one. So, you see, edification is all about efforts to build you into a more sound human being. Children can have a particular dislike for TV shows or books that are considered edifying by their parents or teachers.
Vocabulary lists containing edification
To Kill a Mockingbird
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 12–15
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Grade 12, List 2
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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.
This confessional, interior dialogue is meant for the entertainment and edification of the “Murderbot” audience, which the titular cyborg assumes is on its side.
From Salon • Jul. 7, 2025
You might have expected technology billionaires to be well-informed about the world; someone like Musk could, if he chose, easily maintain a large research department for his personal edification.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 5, 2023
Freer procured Egyptian objects in part to compare them, for his own edification, with ones from East Asia.
From Washington Post • Feb. 23, 2023
Instead of continuing his cinematic edification with the film’s 1995 sequel, Estefan followed up by going back to where it all started, with the 1950 original starring Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett and Elizabeth Taylor.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2022
After that, Mrs. E.C.B. composed verse for her private edification.
From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee
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.
