noun

reconciliation

rek-uhn-sil-ee-AY-shuhn

Reconciliation (noun) means the restoration of friendly relations between people or groups who have been in conflict. Example: “After a decade of silence there was a reconciliation at their mother's funeral.”

noun

The restoration of friendly relations between people or groups who have been in conflict.

"After a decade of silence there was a reconciliation at their mother's funeral."

"The commission's work was framed as truth and reconciliation rather than prosecution."

accounting The process of comparing two sets of records or accounts to check that they agree, and identifying and correcting any differences.

"The monthly bank reconciliation flagged a duplicate payment."

"Finance won't close the quarter until the reconciliation is signed off."

The act of making two apparently conflicting ideas, accounts or requirements compatible with each other.

"The paper attempts a reconciliation of free will and determinism."

How to use reconciliation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMaking peace after a fight, or making two sets of figures agree.

When to use it

Neutral; the accounting and legislative senses are technical.

Memory tip

The verb is reconcile: reconcile with a person, reconcile an account.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

forgiveness → mediation → conciliation →

Common pairings

truth and reconciliation bank reconciliation seek a reconciliation reconciliation between

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “reconciliation” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

After a decade of silence there was a _____ at their mother's funeral.

Etymology

From Latin reconciliare 'to bring together again, restore', from re- 'again' and conciliare 'to unite'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

View more →

making up rapprochement reunion peacemaking détente balancing matching tie-out harmonisation squaring resolution

Antonyms

estrangement rupture falling-out

Related words

same decision answer union solution equal resolution settlement

Rhymes for reconciliation

region billion ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation abortion abrasion diffusion elocution extension

See all rhymes for reconciliation →

Frequently asked questions

What is a bank reconciliation?

It is a check that the cash balance in a company's own books matches the balance on its bank statement, once timing differences such as uncleared cheques are accounted for. Anything that will not reconcile points to an error, a missing entry or fraud.

What is the difference between reconciliation and forgiveness?

Forgiveness happens inside one person: letting go of resentment towards someone who wronged you. Reconciliation takes two, and means rebuilding the actual relationship. You can forgive someone entirely and still choose not to reconcile with them.

What does reconciliation mean in US politics?

Budget reconciliation is a special legislative procedure that lets certain tax and spending bills pass the Senate with a simple majority, bypassing the filibuster. The word here has nothing to do with peacemaking — it refers to bringing legislation into line with the budget resolution.

What is the meaning of reconciliation?

"reconciliation" (noun) means the restoration of friendly relations between people or groups who have been in conflict.

People also searched

same decision answer union solution equal resolution settlement