confection

noun

con·​fec·​tion kən-ˈfek-shən How to pronounce confection (audio)
1
: the act or process of confecting
2
: something confected: such as
a
: a fancy dish or sweetmeat
also : a sweet food
b
: a medicinal preparation usually made with sugar, syrup, or honey
c
: a work of fine or elaborate craftsmanship
d
: a light but entertaining theatrical, cinematic, or literary work

Did you know?

As a wise blue monster with a famous sweet tooth once noted, “c” is for cookie. And sure, that’s good enough for us, but sometimes the moment calls for a wide variety of delectables, not just cookies. In such times, you might remember that “c” is also for confection. Confection is a word that refers to something confected—that is, put together—from several different ingredients or elements. Often confections are sweet and edible, but confection can also be used to refer to a finely worked piece of craftsmanship. In other words, the lacy box containing chocolate confections can be a confection itself. Tracing back to the Latin verb conficere (“to carry out, perform, make, bring about, collect, bring to completion”), confection entered Middle English as the word confeccioun, meaning “preparation by mixing ingredients; something prepared by mixing, such as a medicine or dish of food,” and has since taken on additional, often figurative meanings in English in the ensuing centuries, as in “the beloved musical confection ‘C is for Cookie.’”

Examples of confection in a Sentence

an assortment of delicious cakes and other confections following the main course there were assorted confections so delicious-looking as to tempt even determined dieters
Recent Examples on the Web Make sure to grab a Margarita Donut or some other crazy confection from The Donut Experiment for breakfast. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2024 The colossal confection provided the perfect centerpiece for the couple's lavish reception, held in a ballroom at the Savoy in London. Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 The singer swapped her BAFTAs gown–a traffic-stopping red Valentino number with a dramatic scarf neckline–for another custom Pierpaolo Piccioli confection before arriving at the venue. Kerry McDermott, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2024 While not specifically made for Valentine’s Day, Waterman said any of the shop’s confections made with ruby chocolate would be perfect gifts for the holiday. Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2024 Tucson's Monsoon Chocolate is a finalist in three categories: snacks, chocolate and confections. Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 23 Jan. 2024 Sample all sorts of confections offered by talented bakers and artisans, enjoy a beverage from the Chocolate Bar and more. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 10 Jan. 2024 The piped swirls and cream tops call to mind architecture and the design trends of the period and were especially popular with Britain’s royal family, who used the style for generations of wedding confections. Annemarie Dooling, USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024 Make a statement with one of these mesmerizing confections made with a Campari lime jelly base, orange juice jelly, and sweet milk jelly flowers. Ellen Fort, Saveur, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'confection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English confeccioun "preparation by mixing ingredients, something prepared by mixing, as a medicine or dish of food," borrowed from Anglo-French confectiun, confeccion, borrowed from Medieval Latin confectiōn-, confectiō, going back to Latin, "making ready for use, preparation," from conficere "to carry out, perform, make, bring about, collect, bring to completion" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at confect

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of confection was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near confection

Cite this Entry

“Confection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confection. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

confection

noun
con·​fec·​tion kən-ˈfek-shən How to pronounce confection (audio)
: a fancy dish or sweet
Etymology

Middle English confectioun "mixture, candy," from early French confection "mixture," derived from Latin conficere "to prepare," from con-, com- "together" and -ficere, from facere "to make, do" — related to fashion

Medical Definition

confection

noun
con·​fec·​tion kən-ˈfek-shən How to pronounce confection (audio)
: a medicinal preparation usually made with sugar, syrup, or honey

called also electuary

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