What does lapidation mean?
Lapidation means stoning a person to death, especially as a form of execution or religious punishment. The word is literary and historical rather than part of everyday English, appearing in accounts of ancient laws, persecutions, and martyrdom. Its most famous association is with Saint Stephen, traditionally regarded as the first Christian martyr, whose death by stoning is described in the Acts of the Apostles. Although lapidation was practiced in various societies and legal traditions, the term also carries strong religious and cultural associations with early Christianity. In modern discussion, it can also name the practice of stoning as a punishment more generally. The comparatively uncommon word is useful when discussing martyrdom, capital punishment, or the history of execution, provided the context makes clear that it refers to killing or punishing someone by stones.
nounThe act of stoning a person to death, especially as a form of execution or religious persecution. It may also refer more generally to stoning as a punishment.
- The act of killing someone by stoning, particularly as an execution or act of religious persecution.
- The practice or punishment of stoning a person.
"The account of Saint Stephen's lapidation is one of the best-known stories of religious martyrdom."
"The court sentenced the prisoner to death by lapidation."
"The painting depicts the lapidation of Saint Stephen outside Jerusalem."
The word is usually uncountable. The plural is rare and would refer to separate instances of stoning or execution by stoning.
"The chronicle describes several lapidations carried out under the authorities."
Remembered as the first Christian martyr, Saint Stephen was killed by lapidation, making this ancient punishment part of the language of Christian history.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lapidation come from?
Lapidation comes through English from Latin lapidātiō, a noun formed from lapidāre, “to stone,” which derives from lapis, meaning “stone.” The development reflects the ancient use of stones both as weapons and as instruments of public execution. The same Latin root appears in related English words such as lapidary, lapidify, and lapideous.
Related word forms
How lapidation is actually used
This is a formal, literary, historical, and religious term rather than everyday vocabulary. It is especially associated with accounts of ancient punishment and Christian martyrdom, and it should not be used to describe casual stoning.