intercession

noun

in·​ter·​ces·​sion ˌin-tər-ˈse-shən How to pronounce intercession (audio)
1
: the act of interceding
2
: prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another
intercessional adjective
intercessor noun
intercessory adjective

Examples of intercession in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In El Greco’s paintings, the possibility of divine intercession is always in play. Washington Post, 29 June 2023 After this step, the Vatican has to approve of a miracle attributed to the intercession of the potential saint. Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 24 June 2023 Some see them as shelters for souls separated violently from their bodies, others as places where the living can pray to the dead for intercession with the divine. Maggie Shipstead Anthony Cotsifas, New York Times, 10 May 2023 Washington’s intercession ahead of the war’s anniversary appears to have been only partially successful. Isabelle Khurshudyan, Washington Post, 24 Apr. 2023 At the Mass that inaugurated the petition drive on behalf of the Black sainthood candidates, Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, an auxiliary bishop of Baltimore, urged the congregation to tell others about their accomplishments and to pray for their intercession. Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, 11 Dec. 2021 There’s an intercession, a healing. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 Nov. 2022 That exercise has a special place in Catholic tradition—not only to pray, but to do so through the intercession of those in heaven. Nicholas Tomaino, WSJ, 19 Mar. 2023 What intercessions are made into the official record when the Black woman makes the world see from her perspective? Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intercession.' 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, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin intercession-, intercessio, from intercedere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near intercession

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

intercession

noun
in·​ter·​ces·​sion ˌint-ər-ˈsesh-ən How to pronounce intercession (audio)
: the act of interceding
intercessor noun
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