sedition

UK: /sɪˈdɪʃ^ən/ US: /sɪˈdɪʃən/ ,(si dish′ən)

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

se•di•tion /sɪˈdɪʃən/   n. [uncountable]

1. Government action intended to cause rebellion against a government.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

se•di•tion  (si dish′ən), n. 

1. Government incitement of discontent or rebellion against a government.
2. Government any action, esp. in speech or writing, promoting such discontent or rebellion.
3. [Archaic.] rebellious disorder.

• Latin, as above
• Anglo-French
• Latin sēditiōn- (stem of sēditiō), equivalent. to sēd- se- + -itiōn- a going (it(us), past participle of īre to go + -iōn- -ion); replacing Middle English sedicioun
• 1325–75

Synonyms

• 1. insurrection, mutiny. See treason. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

sedition / sɪˈdɪʃən/ noun

1. speech or behaviour directed against the peace of a state
2. an offence that tends to undermine the authority of a state
3. an incitement to public disorder

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin sēditiō discord, from sēd- apart + itiō a going, from īre to go

seˈditionary noun , adjective