kənˈvikshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English conviccioun, from Late Latin conviction-, convictio proof, from Latin convictus + -ion-, -io -ion — more at convict
1. : the act of proving, finding, or adjudging a person guilty of an offense or crime
conviction of the prisoner for burglary
specifically : the proceeding of record by which a person is legally found guilty of any crime especially by a jury and on which the judgment is based
2. obsolete : demonstration or proof ; especially : the proof or exposure of error
3.
a. : the act of convincing a person of error or of compelling the admission of a truth
b.
(1) : the state of being convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth
all his tedious talk is but vain boast, or subtle shifts conviction to evade — John Milton
(2) : the state of being convinced of and repentant for one's sin — often used with under
making them think in order to bring them to conviction of sin — G.B.Shaw
unaware that for a month he has been under conviction
4.
a. : a strong persuasion or belief
the conviction that the next man he would meet … would be his father — E.J.Simmons
conviction that learning was essential for godliness — K.B.Murdock
b. : the state of being convinced (as of the truth or rightness of one's belief or acts)
he was an internationalist by conviction
: a feeling or awareness of the rightness, truth, or certainty of what is thought, spoken, or done
the actors played with great conviction
not enough ambition to shape his thought, nor enough conviction to give rhythm to his style — W.B.Yeats
c. convictions plural : strongly held beliefs or views
certain thoughts sustain us in defeat … and it is these thoughts … that we call convictions — W.B.Yeats
Synonyms: see opinion