Excommunication — Definition & Meaning

What does excommunication mean?

noun

The act of formally excluding someone from a religious community or organization, often as a punishment for disobedience or heresy. Exclusion from a community or organization, often as a result of a formal declaration.

Example

"The church issued a decree of excommunication against the heretic, cutting him off from the community."

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Etymologically related

communicate communicate communicate excommunicate

Synonyms for excommunication

banishment expulsion ostracism exclusion separation estrangement

Antonyms of excommunication

admission acceptance inclusion

Rhymes with excommunication

communication education relation relation