Definition of "benediction" []

• A blessing. (noun)
• An invocation of divine blessing, usually at the end of a church service. (noun)
• Roman Catholic Church A short service consisting of prayers, the singing of a Eucharistic hymn, and the blessing of the congregation with the host. (noun)
• An expression of good wishes. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Mr Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, cited the case of a federal judge ordering pupils not to use the word "benediction" in their high school graduation because it supposedly violated the constitutional separation of church and state."
• "When the benediction is given each night, the press area starts to clear pretty quickly, but a good 90% of delegates stand for the prayer and at least half of them bow their heads and give a hearty "Amen!" at the end."
• "The yellow Spring sun, like liquid honey, fell in benediction on the leafless trees, big with buds, and on the tawny mat of grass through which the blue noses of anemones were sticking."