benediction

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablereligion

   A spoken prayer asking for God's protection and favor, usually offered by a priest or minister as a service closes.

   Grammar: Usually takes an or the: the priest gave a benediction.

   Patterns

   • give a benediction
   • a benediction on someone

   The pastor raised his hands and delivered the benediction as the congregation bowed their heads.

   After the final hymn, the bishop pronounced a benediction over the newly married couple.

   Visitors slipped out quietly before the benediction ended.

2. 2nouncountableliteraryfigurative

   Any warm expression of approval or good wishes, offered as if it were a blessing.

   Grammar: Often figurative and slightly grand: a benediction from the old teacher.

   Patterns

   • a benediction on something

   The retiring principal's smile felt like a benediction on the whole project.

   Soft evening light fell over the valley like a benediction.

   She left with her grandmother's whispered benediction following her down the path.

Word forms

Common combinations

deliver a benediction

The visiting rabbi was asked to deliver a benediction at the opening ceremony.

pronounce the benediction

The minister pronounced the benediction and the choir began to sing.

closing benediction

The closing benediction was short, but many people were moved by it.

receive a benediction

The pilgrims knelt to receive a benediction before the long journey.

a benediction on

The old poet's letter was a benediction on the young writer's first book.

Synonyms and how they differ

blessing

Blessing is the everyday word and can be given by anyone, while benediction sounds formal and is tied to a spoken prayer at the end of a service.

invocation

An invocation is a prayer said at the beginning of an event to call for divine help, whereas a benediction normally comes at the end.

consecration

Consecration makes something holy through a ritual, while a benediction simply asks for favor on people or an occasion.

Opposites

Word family

benedictory adjective

relating to or expressing a blessing

benedict noun

a newly married man who seemed to be a confirmed bachelor (rare)

benefactor noun

a person who gives money or help

benevolent adjective

kind and wishing to do good

Commonly confused: benediction or benefaction? benediction or benediction vs. invocation?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “benediction”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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