Remission is a period when a serious illness, especially cancer, gets better or seems to go away, even though it might not be completely cured. When doctors say a patient is in remission, they mean the disease has become much less severe or its signs have disappeared.

Imagine someone fighting cancer who has been sick for months. After treatment, their doctors can no longer find cancer cells in their body. The patient is now in remission, which is cause for celebration, though doctors will keep monitoring them carefully. Remission can be partial, meaning the disease is still there but much weaker, or complete, meaning doctors can't detect it anymore.

The word also appears in the phrase remission of sins, which means the forgiveness of wrongdoings in religious contexts. When someone receives remission of their sins, their mistakes are pardoned.

Remission brings hope to patients and their families. It represents a hard-won victory against illness, though doctors stay watchful because some diseases can return. For someone who has been very sick, hearing “you're in remission” can be some of the most powerful and joyful words imaginable.