n. 1 the act of saving or being saved; preservation from loss, calamity, etc. 2 deliverance from sin and its consequences and admission to heaven, brought about by Christ. 3 a religious conversion. 4 a person or thing that saves (was the salvation of). Salvation Army a worldwide evangelical organization on quasi-military lines for the revival of Christianity and helping the poor. salvationism n. salvationist n. (both nouns esp. with ref. to the Salvation Army).
[ ME f. OF sauvacion, salvacion, f. eccl.L salvatio -onis f. salvare SAVE(1), transl. Gk soteria ]