intercession

UK: /ˌɪntə^rˈsɛʃ^ən/ US: /ˌɪntɚˈsɛʃən/ ,(in′tər sesh′ən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•ter•ces•sion /ˌɪntɚˈsɛʃən/   n. 

1. [uncountable] an act or instance of interceding.
2. an act of pleading on behalf of another person:
   [countable] intercessions on behalf of the condemned criminal.

See -cede-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•ter•ces•sion  (in′tər sesh′ən), n. 

1. an act or instance of interceding.
2. an interposing or pleading on behalf of another person.
3. a prayer to God on behalf of another.
4. Ancient History [Rom. Hist.] the interposing of a veto, as by a tribune.

• Latin intercessiōn- (stem of intercessiō), equivalent. to intercess(us) past participle of intercēdere to intercede (equivalent. to interced- variant stem + -tus past participle suffix, with -dt- -ss-) + -iōn- -ion
• late Middle English 1400–50

in′ter•ces′sion•al, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

intercession / ˌɪntəˈsɛʃən/ noun

1. the act or an instance of interceding
2. the act of interceding or offering petitionary prayer to God on behalf of others
3. such petitionary prayer

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin intercessio; see intercede

ˌinterˈcessional, ˌinterˈcessory adjective

ˌinterˈcessor noun

ˌintercesˈsorial adjective