# exorcism

/ˈɛksɝˌsɪzəm/ (US) · /ˈɛksəsˌɪzəm/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exorcism
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a religious or spiritual ceremony to drive out a demon or evil spirit from a person or place.

For teachers: a ritual or ceremony performed to expel a demon or other malevolent spirit from a person or location.

## Examples

- The priest performed an exorcism to help the man feel better.
- In many cultures, an exorcism is a formal ritual involving specific prayers and symbols to cleanse a home of negative energy.
- While modern psychology often attributes such behaviors to mental health issues, many traditional communities still view an exorcism as the only way to restore a person's spiritual balance.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.