lamentation

[ lam-uhn-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of lamenting or expressing grief.
2. a lament.
3. Lamentations, (used with a singular verb) a book of the Bible, traditionally ascribed to Jeremiah. : Lam.

lamentation

/ ˌlæmɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. a lament; expression of sorrow
2. the act of lamenting

Word History and Origins

Origin of lamentation¹

First recorded in 1325–75; from Middle French lamentacion and Latin lāmentātiōn- (stem of lāmentātiō ), equivalent to lāmentāt(us) (past participle of lāmentārī ) + -iōn- verbal noun suffix; lament, -ion;

Example Sentences

At times, this lamentation turns polemical in equating “mechanistic, militaristic” Rome’s powerful ambitions with imperial Britain and fascist Italy.

From Washington Post

Lamentations over the decline of civility forget this truth.

From Washington Post

Not only will it spare you the lamentations of your spouse or kid over what a terrible internet connection they’re dealing with, it’ll give you instant access to high-quality episodes instead of the variable quality associated with streaming content.

From Time

But even as this book celebrates these women and their work, it is also a lamentation for a life on its way out.

From The Daily Beast

Through the dark, cold winter, the walls on Muhammad Mahmoud erupted into huge images of celebration, lamentation, and commentary.

From The Daily Beast

Let them hasten and take up a lamentation for us: let our eyes shed tears, and our eyelids run down with waters.

From Project Gutenberg

And Mathathias and his sons rent their garments, and they covered themselves with haircloth, and made great lamentation.

From Project Gutenberg

And all the people of Israel bewailed him with great lamentation, and they mourned for him many days.

From Project Gutenberg

And the marriage was turned into mourning, and the noise of their musical instruments into lamentation.

From Project Gutenberg

What combined lamentation disturbs the whole palace with its harrowing intensity?

From Project Gutenberg