1. The act of blessing; a giving praise to God or rendering thanks for his favors; a blessing pronounced; hence grace before and after meals.

2. Blessing, prayer, or kind wishes, uttered in favor of any person or thing; a solemn or affectionate invocation of happiness; thanks; expression of gratitude.

3. The advantage conferred by blessing.

4. The form of instituting an abbot, answering to the consecration of a bishop.

5. The external ceremony performed by a priest in the office of matrimony is called the nuptial benediction.

6. In the Romish Church, an ecclesiastical ceremony by which a thing is rendered sacred or venerable.