benediction

noun

bene·​dic·​tion ˌbe-nə-ˈdik-shən 

1

religion : the invocation (see invocation sense 1a) of a blessing

a prayer of benediction

especially : the short blessing with which public worship is concluded

dismissed the congregation with a benediction

2

: something that promotes goodness or well-being

… the Mexican sun is no pleasant benediction like our northern sun …

—Gertrude Diamant

3

often capitalized Christianity : a Roman Catholic or Anglo-Catholic devotion (see devotion sense 1c) including the exposition of the eucharistic Host in the monstrance and the blessing of the people with it

4

: an expression of good wishes

… yearning for the benediction of the New York critics …

—Time

Did you know?

In benediction, the bene root is joined by another Latin root, dictio, "speaking", so the word's meaning becomes something like "well-wishing". Perhaps the best-known benediction is the so-called Aaronic Benediction from the Bible, which begins, "May the Lord bless you and keep you". An important section of the Catholic Mass was traditionally known as the Benedictus, after its first word (meaning "blessed"). It was St. Benedict who organized the first Christian monasteries; many Christians have been baptized Benedict in his honor, and 16 popes have taken it as their papal name.

Synonyms

• benison
• blessing

Examples of benediction in a Sentence

He dismissed the congregation with a benediction.

the priest offered a benediction for the missing children

Recent Examples on the Web

Father Jason Charron of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Pittsburgh, who offered a benediction at Trump’s rally in Butler before the assassination attempt, is a vocal supporter of the former president. —Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024

The Hierophant’s right hand is raised in benediction, two fingers pointing to the sky (heaven) and two fingers pointing down (hell). —Lisa Stardust, Peoplemag, 18 July 2024

The beauty is no justification, but a solace, a benediction. —Alison Osius, Outside Online, 1 July 2024

As if Stewart had somehow intervened from heaven — or would have ever given him a benediction. —Sally Jenkins, Washington Post, 17 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English benediccioun, from Late Latin benediction-, benedictio, from benedicere to bless, from Latin, to speak well of, from bene well (akin to Latin bonus good) + dicere to say — more at bounty, diction

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

benediction

noun

bene·​dic·​tion ˌben-ə-ˈdik-shən 

1

: an expression of good wishes

2

: the short blessing at the end of a religious service

Etymology

Middle English benediccioun "an expression of blessing or good wishes," from Latin benediction-, benedictio (same meaning), from benedicere "to bless," from earlier bene dicere "to praise, speak well," from bene "well" and dicere "to say" — related to dictate