Immaculate Conception

noun

1
: the conception of the Virgin Mary in which as decreed in Roman Catholic dogma her soul was preserved free from original sin by divine grace
2
: December 8 observed as a Roman Catholic feast in commemoration of the Immaculate Conception

Examples of Immaculate Conception in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Immaculate Conception School in Highland Park was one of the first, in 1978. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026 One survivor described being groomed more than a year before he was abused by the pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Cranston in 1981. — Arkansas Online, 24 Feb. 2026 After a greeting and a few words from the palace balcony, the Pope went to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to pray with the Bishop of Monaco. — Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 28 Mar. 2026 The Virgin Mary holds a particularly prominent place in Catholic devotion, expressed in prayers such as the Hail Mary and in teachings such as the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Immaculate Conception

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Immaculate Conception was in 1597

Rhymes for Immaculate Conception

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Browse Nearby Words

immaculate
Immaculate Conception
immalleable
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Cite this Entry

“Immaculate Conception.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Immaculate%20Conception. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Immaculate Conception

noun
: December 8 observed as a Roman Catholic festival in honor of the conception of the Virgin Mary as free from original sin

More from Merriam-Webster on Immaculate Conception

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Immaculate Conception

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