benediction

Meaning

1. (countable, uncountable) A short invocation for help, blessing and guidance from God, said on behalf of another person or persons (sometimes at the end of a church worship service).
2. (countable, uncountable) In the Anglican church, the ceremony used to institute an abbot, analogous to the consecration of a bishop.
3. (countable, uncountable) A Roman Catholic rite by which bells, banners, candles, etc., are blessed with holy water and formally dedicated to God.
4. (countable, uncountable) Help, good fortune or reward from God or another supernatural source.

Synonyms

blessing

benison

prayer

ask a blessing

beatitude

invocation

mercy

become reality

be blessed

congratulation

favour

felicitation

godsend

Translations

bénédiction

bendición

benedizione

ευλογία

Segnung

bênção

takdis

αγιασμός

benedicció

zegening

rahmet

bienfait

Segen

تبريك

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌbɛnəˈdɪkʃən/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: benediccion

In summary

From Middle English benediccion, from Ecclesiastical Latin benedictio, benedictionis, from benedictus (“blessed; well spoken of”). Doublet of benison.