noun
Common
redemption
rih-DEHMP-shuhn
Redemption (noun) means the act of making up for past mistakes or wrongdoing and restoring one's reputation. Example: “His comeback season was seen as redemption after years of injury setbacks.”
noun
1
The act of making up for past mistakes or wrongdoing and restoring one's reputation.
"His comeback season was seen as redemption after years of injury setbacks."
"Saving the team in the final minute felt like redemption for his earlier mistake."
"She worked for years to earn redemption in the eyes of her family."
2
The act of exchanging a voucher, bond, or points for its cash value.
"The redemption of the bonds is due at the end of the year."
3
In religious use, salvation from sin.
"The novel explores themes of guilt and redemption."
"The priest spoke about redemption and the hope of forgiveness for all believers."
"In the hymn, the singers praise God for the redemption of the world."
How to use redemption
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMaking up for something bad, or cashing something in for its value.
Common pairings
seek redemption
a story of redemption
redemption of a bond
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Word forms
- Plural
- redemptions
Fill the gap
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His comeback season was seen as _____ after years of injury setbacks.
Etymology
From Old French redemption, from Latin redemptio, tied to the same root as redeem, \"to buy back.\"
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for redemption
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for redemption →
Frequently asked questions
What does “redemption” mean?
The word “redemption” means the act of making up for past mistakes or wrongdoing and restoring one's reputation. In plain terms, making up for something bad, or cashing something in for its value.
How do you pronounce “redemption”?
“Redemption” is pronounced rih-DEHMP-shuhn (/ɹɪˈdɛmpʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “redemption” in a sentence?
Here is “redemption” used in a sentence: “His comeback season was seen as redemption after years of injury setbacks.”
What part of speech is “redemption”?
“Redemption” is a noun.
Where does the word “redemption” come from?
The word “redemption” comes from Latin. From Old French redemption, from Latin redemptio, tied to the same root as redeem, \"to buy back.\".
Is “redemption” a common word?
“Redemption” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “redemption” have?
“Redemption” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of making up for past mistakes or wrongdoing and restoring one's reputation.
What is the difference between redemption and forgiveness?
Redemption involves actively making up for past mistakes and restoring one's reputation through changed behavior or action, while forgiveness is something granted by another person, releasing them from resentment over a wrong. A person can be forgiven without ever achieving redemption, and a person can pursue redemption whether or not they receive forgiveness.
What does redemption mean for a voucher or coupon?
In this sense, redemption refers to exchanging a voucher, bond, or points for its cash value or another benefit, such as redeeming loyalty points for a gift card. This financial sense is distinct from the moral sense of making up for wrongdoing.
What does redemption mean in a religious context?
In religious use, redemption refers to salvation from sin, often through a divine or sacrificial act. This sense underlies the word's broader everyday meaning of making up for past wrongdoing, since both involve being freed from a negative state and restored to a better one.
