benediction

[ ben-i-dik-shuhn ]

noun

1. an utterance of good wishes.
2. the form of blessing pronounced by an officiating minister, as at the close of divine service.
3. a ceremony by which things are set aside for sacred uses, as a church, vestments, or bells.
4. (usually initial capital letter) Also called Ben·e·dic·tion of the Bless·ed Sac·ra·ment [ben-i-, dik, -sh, uh, n , uh, v , th, uh, , bles, -id , sak, -r, uh, -m, uh, nt]. a service consisting of prayers, at least one prescribed hymn, censing of the congregation and the Host, and a blessing of the congregation by moving in the form of a cross the ciborium or monstrance containing the Host.
5. the advantage conferred by blessing; a mercy or benefit.

benediction

/ ˌbɛnɪˈdɪkʃən /

noun

1. an invocation of divine blessing, esp at the end of a Christian religious ceremony
2. a Roman Catholic service in which the congregation is blessed with the sacrament
3. the state of being blessed

Derived Forms

• ˌbeneˈdictory, adjective

Other Words From

• pre·ben·e·dic·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of benediction¹

1400–50; late Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin benedictiōn- (stem of benedictiō ). See Benedictus, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of benediction¹

C15: from Latin benedictio , from benedīcere to bless; see benedicite

Example Sentences

Television continues to produce stars worthy of benedictions and analysis, but it’s difficult to imagine that any will leave as deep an imprint on his or her fans as Carson did.

From Los Angeles Times

They emerge from within a rocky outcropping in an otherwise grassy field and hold up their hands, as if in benediction.

From Los Angeles Times

They lifted Harris above the cauldron of grief, relief, anger and confusion with the time-honored benediction of cold, hard cash and a cheeky pop-culture energy that Biden has only rarely been able to conjure.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a space that famously could turn an aspiring comedian into a successful one overnight, if given the host’s benediction — a wave to come to sit.

From Los Angeles Times

Advice given on New Year’s takes on the air of a benediction, a strong first sentence with which to begin a new chapter.

From New York Times

Related Words

• invocation