benediction

UK: /ˌbɛnɪˈdɪkʃ^ən/ US: /ˌbɛnɪˈdɪkʃən/ ,(ben′i dik′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ben•e•dic•tion /ˌbɛnɪˈdɪkʃən/   n. 

1. an utterance of good wishes or a blessing:
   [countable] concluded the service with a benediction.
2. the act of blessing:
   [uncountable] raised her hand in benediction.

ben•e•dic•to•ry /ˌbɛnɪˈdɪktəri/  adj. See -bene-, -dict-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ben•e•dic•tion  (ben′i dik′shən), n. 

1. an utterance of good wishes.
2. the form of blessing pronounced by an officiating minister, as at the close of divine service.
3. a ceremony by which things are set aside for sacred uses, as a church, vestments, or bells.
4. (usually cap.) Also called Benedic′tion of the Bless′ed Sac′rament. a service consisting of prayers, at least one prescribed hymn, censing of the congregation and the Host, and a blessing of the congregation by moving in the form of a cross the ciborium or monstrance containing the Host.
5. the advantage conferred by blessing;
   a mercy or benefit.

• Latin benedictiōn- (stem of benedictiō). See Benedictus, -ion
• Middle French)
• late Middle English (1400–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

benediction / ˌbɛnɪˈdɪkʃən/ noun

1. an invocation of divine blessing, esp at the end of a Christian religious ceremony
2. a Roman Catholic service in which the congregation is blessed with the sacrament
3. the state of being blessed

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin benedictio, from benedīcere to bless; see benedicite

ˌbeneˈdictory adjective