From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishbenedictionben‧e‧dic‧tion /ˌbenəˈdɪkʃən/ noun [countable, uncountable] RRCa Christian prayer that asks God to protect and help someone
Examples from the Corpus
benediction• As the sermon ends he kneels, waves a benediction, and covers his face with his hands.• Jack Kennedy summoning Robert Frost to deliver an inauguration poem and confer a bardic benediction on the new administration.• Second, there is no concluding benediction or chatimah.• Hughes kept moving at a deliberate pace, turning right and left to give his benediction.• BRUHche n. From the Hebrew, meaning benediction, blessing.• I give these children my benediction.• The priest enjoyed the benediction of the old man in the name of the Great Spirit who made all men.• BIENTSHn v. To give the benediction after a meal.Origin benediction (1400-1500) Late Latin benedictio, from benedicere “to bless”, from Latin bene “well” + dicere “to say” 