What does "reconciliation" mean?

1. (restoring a relationship) the process of two people or groups becoming friendly again after a serious disagreement. 2. (matching financial records) the process of checking that two sets of numbers, like a bank statement and your own records, are the same. 3. (atoning for historical wrongs) the process of a country trying to improve its relationship with Indigenous people by admitting past mistakes. 4. (religious confession) a religious ceremony where a person tells a priest their sins to be forgiven.

reconciliation

US //ˌɹɛkənˌsɪɫiˈeɪʃən// UK //ɹˌɛkənsˌɪlɪˈeɪʃən// rec·on·cil·i·a·tion

1 restoring a relationship (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the process of two people or groups becoming friendly again after a serious disagreement.

the re-establishment of friendly relations between parties after a period of conflict or estrangement.

Example

The two brothers finally reached a reconciliation after not speaking for ten years.

Example

The treaty was seen as a vital step toward national reconciliation after decades of civil unrest and political division.
- rapprochement
- settlement
- resolution
- estrangement
- conflict
2 matching financial records (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Accounting

the process of checking that two sets of numbers, like a bank statement and your own records, are the same.

the procedure of comparing and resolving differences between two sets of accounting records or statements to ensure accuracy.

Example

She spent the afternoon performing a bank reconciliation to find the missing five dollars.

Example

Monthly reconciliation of the accounts is mandatory to ensure that internal ledgers align perfectly with the external bank statements.
- balancing
- verification
- discrepancy

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3 atoning for historical wrongs (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the process of a country trying to improve its relationship with Indigenous people by admitting past mistakes.

the systemic process of acknowledging and atoning for historical injustices committed by a state against Indigenous populations.

Example

The government is committed to the process of reconciliation with the country's first inhabitants.

Example

True reconciliation requires more than just apologies; it demands structural changes to address the long-term effects of colonial policies.
- redress
- reparation
4 religious confession (n.)
C2 Proficiency Formal Technical Religion

a religious ceremony where a person tells a priest their sins to be forgiven.

the sacrament of penance or confession, involving the disclosure of sins and the receiving of absolution.

Example

He went to the church on Saturday afternoon for the sacrament of reconciliation.

Example

The priest emphasized that reconciliation is not merely about admitting guilt but about a genuine desire to change one's life.
- confession
- penance

Origin

From Middle English reconciliacioun (“act of reconciling; state of accord or harmony;”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman reconciliaciun, reconsiliacion, reconsiliaciun, and Middle French reconciliation, reconsiliacion, reconsiliation (“act of reconciling; result of this act; act of bringing about agreement or harmony; reconsecration of a desecrated place”) (modern French réconciliation), and from their Latin etymon reconciliātiō (“reinstatement, renewal, restoration; reconciliation”), from reconciliāre + -tiō.