/ rɪˈdiːm; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
to make sb/sth seem less bad
SYN compensate for :
The excellent acting wasn't enough to redeem a weak plot.
The only redeeming feature of the job (= good thing about it) is the salary.
➡ note at save
2.
redeem yourself to do sth to improve the opinion that people have of you, especially after you have done sth bad :
He has a chance to redeem himself after last week's mistakes.
3.
( in Christianity ) to save sb from the power of evil :
Jesus Christ came to redeem us from sin.
4.
to pay the full sum of money that you owe sb; to pay a debt :
to redeem a loan / mortgage
5.
to exchange sth such as shares or vouchers for money or goods :
This voucher can be redeemed at any of our branches.
6.
to get back a valuable object from sb by paying them back the money you borrowed from them in exchange for the object :
He was able to redeem his watch from the pawnshop.
7.
redeem a pledge / promise ( formal ) to do what you have promised that you will do
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense buy back ): from Old French redimer or Latin redimere , from re- back + emere buy.