perdition

[ per-dish-uhn ]

noun

1. a state of final spiritual ruin; loss of the soul; damnation.
2. the future state of the wicked.
3. hell ( def 1 ).
4. utter destruction or ruin.
5. Obsolete. loss.

perdition

/ pəˈdɪʃən /

noun

1. Christianity
   1. final and irrevocable spiritual ruin
   2. this state as one that the wicked are said to be destined to endure for ever
2. another word for hell
3. archaic.
   utter disaster, ruin, or destruction

Word History and Origins

Origin of perdition¹

First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin perditiōn-, stem of perditiō “destruction,” from perdit(us) “lost” (past participle of perdere “to do in, ruin, lose,” from per- per- + -dere, combining form of dare “to give”) + -iō -ion; replacing Middle English perdiciun, from Old French, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of perdition¹

C14: from Late Latin perditiō ruin, from Latin perdere to lose, from per- (away) + dāre to give

Example Sentences

How do we know that the expansion of gambling will coax some players, coaches and others toward perdition?

From Los Angeles Times

It's happened because the party has turned into a cult that worships one man and that man has such staggering character flaws and intellectual defects that it could take the whole world down the road to perdition.

From Salon

If so, which people are allowed in and which are banished to perdition, if not sentenced to be annihilated?

From Salon

If so, which people are allowed in and which are banished to perdition?

From Salon

This perdition has only grown more baroque and hellish during the post-COVID travel rebound, which has created dehumanizing rental car shortages and skyrocketing prices across the country.

From Slate