oblivion

[ uh-bliv-ee-uhn ]

noun

1. the state of being completely forgotten or unknown:

   a former movie star now in oblivion.

2. the state of forgetting or of being oblivious:

   the oblivion of sleep.

3. the act or process of dying out; complete annihilation or extinction:

   If we don't preserve their habitat, the entire species will pass into oblivion.

4. Archaic. official disregard or overlooking of offenses; pardon; amnesty.

oblivion

/ əˈblɪvɪən /

noun

1. the condition of being forgotten or disregarded
2. the state of being mentally withdrawn or blank
3. law an intentional overlooking, esp of political offences; amnesty; pardon

Other Words From

• self-ob·livi·on noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of oblivion¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin oblīviōn-, stem of oblīviō “a forgetting,” equivalent to oblīv(īscī) “to forget” + -iō -ion; ob-

Word History and Origins

Origin of oblivion¹

C14: via Old French from Latin oblīviō forgetfulness, from oblīviscī to forget

Example Sentences

Or it may survive with much of its coverage cut back, and that may trigger a spiral into oblivion somewhere down the road as the remaining subscribers decide that a pale shadow of the Post’s former self is not worth paying for.

From Slate

He may well be condemned to political oblivion or he could still return to the arena – as Ruto’s rival or even his ally.

From BBC

For Rodgers, in his 20th season at age 41, acquiring his favorite receiver and close friend presents a ray of optimism in a season quickly imploding into oblivion.

From Los Angeles Times

The only other time since then they have won the urn down under was in 2010-11, when they batted the Aussies into oblivion for a famous first-Test draw.

From BBC

This was meant to put boosters on the near-trillion-tonne berg, rifling it up into the South Atlantic and certain oblivion.

From BBC

Related Words

• darkness
• extinction
• limbo