A benediction is a formal blessing, usually spoken at the end of a religious service or special ceremony. When a minister offers a benediction, she might say words asking for God's protection and guidance over the congregation as they leave.

You'll hear benedictions at church services, weddings, graduations, and other important gatherings. A principal might close an awards ceremony with a benediction, or a chaplain might give one before a big game. The key elements are that it's spoken aloud, it invokes blessing or protection, and it marks an ending or transition.

The tone of a benediction is usually solemn and hopeful. It's meant to send people off feeling encouraged and protected. In classic stories, you might encounter phrases like “he spoke a benediction over them” or “she departed with her father's benediction,” meaning someone received an official blessing or approval.

While benedictions are most common in religious settings, the word can also describe any expression of good wishes or approval given in a formal way. A beloved teacher's final words to graduating students might feel like a benediction, even if they're not religious, because they carry that same sense of blessing and hope for the future.