excommunication

[ eks-kuh-myoo-ni-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of excommunicating.
2. the state of being excommunicated.
3. the ecclesiastical sentence by which a person is excommunicated.

Word History and Origins

Origin of excommunication¹

1425–75; late Middle English < Late Latin excommūnicātiōn- (stem of excommūnicātiō ). See excommunicate, -ion

Example Sentences

Between the crazy Sprinter van rides, it has also broken new ground by exploring heavy subjects such as excommunication and religious trauma.

From Los Angeles Times

He made waves in 2019 when he rescinded a pair of controversial rules banning baptisms for the children of gay parents and branding same-sex couples as heretics who could face excommunication.

From Seattle Times

Now the diocese’s bishop has punished the victim’s father, a former deacon, with the Church’s highest censure: excommunication.

From New York Times

Former President Donald J. Trump essentially threatened Nikki Haley’s donors with excommunication from his political movement on Wednesday night, declaring that he would refuse contributions from anyone who donated to her primary campaign.

From New York Times

In a statement to the AP, the church said “the abuse of a child or any other individual is inexcusable,” and that John Goodrich, following his excommunication, “has not been readmitted to church membership.”

From Seattle Times