blessing

noun

bless·​ing ˈble-siŋ 

1

a

: the act or words of one that blesses

say the blessing over the wine

a priestly blessing

b

: approval, encouragement

asked her parents for their blessing before he proposed

2

: a thing conducive to happiness or welfare

My daughter is a blessing to me in my old age.

Their absence turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Count your blessings.

3

: grace (see grace entry 1 sense 5) said at a meal

said the blessing before dinner

Synonyms

• benediction
• benison

Examples of blessing in a Sentence

Presumably he was acting with the government's blessing.

They got married without their parents' blessing.

We asked the Lord's blessing on us and on our project.

He said a blessing before the meal.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bob’s loss is catastrophic but his legacy is a blessing and will endure for many more generations. —Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 12 Jan. 2025

The scene took a year and a half to manifest, as Gracey needed the blessing of the Westminster City Council, the Crown Estate (Regent Street is royal land) and permission to close a bus route for four nights. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025

Peters says Musk’s entry into the debate has been both a blessing and a curse. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2025

Working under the vastly experienced 64-year-old — a former Premier League-winning centre-back with Manchester United — has been a blessing for Offiah as a 22-year-old centre-back and right-back still learning his trade. —Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see bless

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing blessing

• mixed blessing
• second blessing

Kids Definition

blessing

noun

bless·​ing

ˈbles-iŋ

1

: the act or words of one that blesses

2

: approval

gave my blessing to the plan

3

: something that makes one happy or content

4

: grace said at a meal