intercession

noun

in·​ter·​ces·​sion ˌin-tər-ˈse-shən 

1

: the act of interceding

2

: prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another

intercessional

ˌin-tər-ˈse-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

intercessor

ˌin-tər-ˈse-sər 

noun

intercessory

ˌin-tər-ˈse-s(ə-)rē 

adjective

Examples of intercession in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After that, the Vatican must accept the validity of a second miracle attributed to the person’s intercession for them to be declared a saint. —Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025

And the Church holds that two miracles, when attributed to a specific candidate’s intercession, offer proof that a saint really is with God in heaven. —Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025

Miracles attributed to the individual's intercession are usually required—one for beatification and a second for canonization. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025

Shortly before the Church confirmed the second healing miracle attributed to his intercession, the Vatican published a document overhauling its process for confirming supernatural phenomena, the first such revision since 1978. —Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin intercession-, intercessio, from intercedere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for intercession

• decompression
• dispossession
• indiscretion
• introgression
• nonaggression
• prepossession
• recompression
• repossession
• retrocession
• retrogression
• supersession
• accession

Kids Definition

intercession

noun

in·​ter·​ces·​sion ˌint-ər-ˈsesh-ən 

: the act of interceding

intercessor

-ˈses-ər 

noun