Absolution
//æb.səˈljuː.ʃn̩// noun
noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An absolving of sins from ecclesiastical penalties by an authority. countable, uncountable
- 2 the act of absolving or remitting; formal redemption as pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of penance wordnet
- 3 The forgiveness of sins, in a general sense. countable, uncountable
- 4 the condition of being formally forgiven by a priest in the sacrament of penance wordnet
- 5 The form of words by which a penitent is absolved. countable, uncountable
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- 6 An absolving, or setting free from guilt, sin, or penalty; forgiveness of an offense. countable, uncountable
"Governments granting absolution to the nation."
- 7 An acquittal, or sentence of a judge declaring an accused person innocent. countable, obsolete, uncountable
- 8 Delivery, in speech. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"the words are chosen , their sound ample , the composition full , the absolution plenteous"
Example
More examples"The priest read the prayers of absolution over Tom after hearing his confession."
Etymology
From Middle English absolucion, absolucioun, from Old French absolution, from Latin absolūtiōnem, accusative singular of absolūtiō (“acquittal”), from absolvō (“absolve”). See also absolve.
Related phrases
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.