original sin

noun

1

: the state of sin that according to Christian theology characterizes all human beings as a result of Adam's fall

2

: a wrong of great magnitude

the original sin of slavery

Examples of original sin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One frequent topic of discussion in its pages was Germany’s militarism, an original sin that had led the country into the Great War and paved the way for incipient fascism. —Longreads, 5 Dec. 2024

The original sin came in 2008 when the team traded a franchise icon (Chauncey Billups) in the hopes of making one last run with an aging superstar (Allen Iverson) instead of using their greatest trade asset to ignite a rebuild. —Mat Issa, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

We had been led to believe this was Sunny’s original sin. —Chris Klimek, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2024

Having spent much of her life being forced to pray for salvation from original sin, Carrie is set free by her unholy skill. —Rafaela Bassili, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

original sin

noun

1

: the state of sin that according to Christian teaching all people are born in as a result of Adam's sin in Eden

2

: a very great and significant wrong

the original sin of slavery