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

Hazard explained that some adapters seek out the estate for creative advice, as well as the family’s blessing. —Andrew Zucker, Washington Post, 19 June 2024

Recognize that every lesson is a blessing and there’s something to learn from it. —Bridgette Bartlett-Royall, Essence, 19 June 2024

And there are a lot of locals that have been just such a blessing and have had such gracious hearts. —Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 19 June 2024

While the Panthers need more from the passing game to go along with Johnson’s playmaking ability, his dependability could be a major blessing for Young, who noticeably struggled with his 2023 supporting cast as a rookie. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2024

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