# valediction

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌvæl.əˈdɪk.ʃən/

## Definitions
1. A speech made when leaving or parting company.
2. The act of parting company.
3. A word or phrase said upon leaving, such as "farewell" or "adieu".
4. A word or phrase used to end a letter or message.

## Etymology
First attested in 1614; borrowed from New Latin valedictiō, from valedīcō (“to bid farewell”) + -tiō, from valē (“farewell, so long”) + dīcō (“to say”). By surface analysis, valedict + -ion.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/valediction