salvation
Americannoun
-
the act of saving or protecting from harm, risk, loss, destruction, etc.
-
the state of being saved or protected from harm, risk, etc.
-
a source, cause, or means of being saved or protected from harm, risk, etc.
-
Theology. deliverance from the power and penalty of sin; redemption.
noun
-
the act of preserving or the state of being preserved from harm
-
a person or thing that is the means of preserving from harm
-
Christianity deliverance by redemption from the power of sin and from the penalties ensuing from it
-
Christian Science the realization that Life, Truth, and Love are supreme and that they can destroy such illusions as sin, death, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of salvation
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English salvatio(u)n, from Late Latin salvātiōn-, stem of salvātiō “deliverance, saving,” from salvāt(us) “saved” (past participle of salvāre “to save”; see save 1) + -iō -ion ( def. ); replacing Middle English sa(u)vaciun, sauvacion, from Old French sauvacion, from Late Latin, as above
Explanation
Salvation is the act of saving from sin or evil, or sometimes just from an unpleasant situation. The word salvation comes from the Latin salvare, "to save." Each of the monotheistic religions has a different idea about the way to achieve salvation. Salvation doesn't always have to do with theology; if a freak snowstorm on your camping trip has you worried about hypothermia, salvation can come in the form of an abandoned house with a working fireplace.
Vocabulary lists containing salvation
The Crucible
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Vocabulary from Beyoncé's "Lemonade"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
World Religions
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In its commitment to unvarnished talk — even if that leads to a clunky staginess — “Blue Film” has thoughts about identity, choice, sin and salvation.
From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026
Humanity’s salvation, then, rests in reverting to analog and relying on people more than circuitry.
From Salon • May 5, 2026
Exercise, she says, has always been her "salvation".
From BBC • May 1, 2026
What makes Christianity work, and always has, is the gathering together of the faithful to worship in song and in recitation of ancient creeds affirming creation, sin, salvation, and the death and resurrection of Christ.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026
In the early hours of Black Easter, Booth and Herold sought their salvation: not in a church, but at the door of a loyal Confederate.
From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.