reconciliation

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Accounting Technical

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

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

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

“Monthly reconciliation of the accounts is mandatory to ensure that internal ledgers align perfectly with the external bank statements.”

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal

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

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

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

“True reconciliation requires more than just apologies; it demands structural changes to address the long-term effects of colonial policies.”

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Religion Formal · Technical

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

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

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

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