REDEEM Definition & Meaning

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redeem

[ ri-deem ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to make up for; make amends for; offset (some fault, shortcoming, etc.):
His bravery redeemed his youthful idleness.
Synonyms: ,
to exchange (bonds, trading stamps, coupons, points, etc.) for money or goods:
I redeemed 25,000 points for a free night’s stay at the hotel.
This coupon can be redeemed at any grocery store.
to buy or pay off; clear by payment:
to redeem a mortgage.
Synonyms: ,
Antonyms: ,
to buy back, as after a tax sale or a mortgage foreclosure.
Synonyms: , ,
to recover (something pledged or mortgaged) by payment or other satisfaction:
to redeem a pawned watch.
Synonyms: , ,
to obtain the release or restoration of, such as from captivity, by paying a ransom.
Synonyms: , , ,
Christianity. to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.
to convert (paper money) into coins.
to discharge or fulfill (a pledge, promise, etc.).

redeem

/ ��ɪˈ�徱ː�� /

verb

to recover possession or ownership of by payment of a price or service; regain
to convert (bonds, shares, etc) into cash
to pay off (a promissory note, loan, etc)
to recover (something pledged, mortgaged, or pawned)
to convert (paper money) into bullion or specie
to fulfil (a promise, pledge, etc)
to exchange (trading stamps, coupons, etc) for goods
to reinstate in someone's estimation or good opinion; restore to favour
he redeemed himself by his altruistic action
to make amends for
to recover from captivity, esp by a money payment
Christianity (of Christ as Saviour) to free (mankind) from sin by his death on the Cross

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Derived Forms

��ˈ��𳾱��, noun

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

��·��·�� verb (used with object)

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of redeem¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English redemen, from Middle French redimer, from Latin redimere, equivalent to red- red- + -imere, combining form of emere “to purchase” ( emptor, ransom )

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of redeem¹

C15: from Old French redimer , from Latin redimere to buy back, from red- re- + emere to buy

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Synonym Study

Redeem, ransom both mean to buy back. Redeem is wider in its application than ransom, and means to buy back, regain possession of, or exchange for money, goods, etc.: to redeem one's property. To ransom is to redeem a person from captivity by paying a stipulated price, or to redeem from sin by sacrifice: to ransom a kidnapped child.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

FBI agent Richard Miller acknowledged his secret dealings with the Soviets, but claimed he did so to infiltrate Soviet intelligence and redeem his career.

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The dynamic in the exhibition is redeemed by the live events within it and their play against the archive, which feel earned but also alienated from the original artworks.

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He would redeem his misbegotten career and go out “in a blaze of glory,” as he would put it.

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An element of violence was appropriate for an era torn apart by war, civil rights unrest and epic environmental degradation, but Goode redeemed the tumult through art.

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But what many, including government officials and ministers, ask themselves is – what is there to lose by letting the company have a go at restructuring and potentially redeeming itself over the next few years?

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Related 51�Թ�s

redecorate redeemable

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