# reconciliation

/ˌɹɛkənˌsɪɫiˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /ɹˌɛkənsˌɪlɪˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reconciliation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. restoring a relationship

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The two brothers finally reached a reconciliation after not speaking for ten years.
- The treaty was seen as a vital step toward national reconciliation after decades of civil unrest and political division.

### 2. matching financial records

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. atoning for historical wrongs

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. religious confession

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The accountant performs a bank reconciliation every Friday.
- Monthly reconciliation is essential for detecting errors or unauthorized transactions before they affect the final financial reports.
- The auditor requested a full reconciliation of the accounts payable ledger to explain the significant variance between the reported expenses and the actual cash outflows.

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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.