deliverance

noun

de·​liv·​er·​ance di-ˈli-v(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce deliverance (audio)
dē-
1
: the act of delivering someone or something : the state of being delivered
especially : liberation, rescue
2
: something delivered
especially : an opinion or decision (such as the verdict of a jury) expressed publicly

Examples of deliverance in a Sentence

She prayed for deliverance as the famine got worse. looked to the European powers for deliverance from their country's cruel tyrant
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The album, for its part, told the story of an artist stretching toward deliverance. Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024 And that deliverance comes courtesy of Rodman, who has scored the go-ahead goal in three of the Americans’ four games in France. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2024 The wonderful, selfless, generous, industrious, benevolent American people are the nation’s deliverance. Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2024 In the throes of deliverance, the demon-tormented might bite staffers’ fingers and hands and need to be restrained. Sam Kestenbaum, Harper's Magazine, 21 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for deliverance 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deliverance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near deliverance

Cite this Entry

“Deliverance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deliverance. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

deliverance

noun
de·​liv·​er·​ance di-ˈliv-(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce deliverance (audio)
1
: an act of delivering or the state of being delivered
especially : salvation sense 3, rescue
deliverance from the hands of the enemy
2
: something delivered or communicated
especially : a publicly expressed opinion or decision

More from Merriam-Webster on deliverance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!