/ kənˈfeʃn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C , U ] a statement that a person makes, admitting that they are guilty of a crime; the act of making such a statement :
After hours of questioning by police, she made a full confession.
2.
[ C , U ] a statement admitting sth that you are ashamed or embarrassed about; the act of making such a statement
SYN admission :
I've a confession to make—I lied about my age.
3.
[ U , C ] ( especially in the Roman Catholic Church ) a private statement to a priest about the bad things that you have done :
to go to confession
to hear sb's confession
4.
[ C ] ( formal ) a statement of your religious beliefs, principles, etc. :
a confession of faith
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via Old French from Latin confessio(n-) , from confiteri acknowledge, from con- (expressing intensive force) + fateri declare, avow.