conviction
noun
con·vic·tion
kən-ˈvik-shən 
1
: the act or process of finding a person guilty of a crime especially in a court of law
also
: the final judgment entered against a defendant after a finding of guilt
In light of the evidence, a conviction seems certain.
2
a
: a strong persuasion or belief
Each woman honored with an award has stood tall in her convictions and extended a helping hand to her own community to thrive.—
Kerane Marcellus
Kerane Marcellus
b
: the state of being convinced
3
a
: the act of convincing a person of error or of compelling the admission of a truth
b
: the state of being convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth
Examples of conviction in a Sentence
… a perfect example, I told Bobby, … why Realtors have to be prepared to work holidays. "Well, yeah," he said, utterly without conviction.
—Jane Smiley, Good Faith, 2003
It was his conviction that if the words in the story were blurred because of the author's insensitivity, carelessness, or sentimentality, then the story suffered from a tremendous handicap.
—Raymond Carver, The Story and Its Writer, edited by Ann Charters, 1987
She spoke in … the voice which people often used to express their deepest convictions …
—Paula Fox, A Servant's Tale, 1984
Certainly the basis of our democracy is the conviction of the worth of the individual.
—Robert Penn Warren, Democracy and Poetry, (1975) 1976
She hopes to avoid conviction.
In light of the evidence, a conviction seems certain.
He has three prior drunk-driving convictions.
Convictions for shoplifting have made it difficult for her to get a job.
a person of deep convictions
They share my strong conviction that the policy is misguided.
Jane Smiley, Good Faith, 2003
It was his conviction that if the words in the story were blurred because of the author's insensitivity, carelessness, or sentimentality, then the story suffered from a tremendous handicap.
—Raymond Carver, The Story and Its Writer, edited by Ann Charters, 1987
She spoke in … the voice which people often used to express their deepest convictions …
—Paula Fox, A Servant's Tale, 1984
Certainly the basis of our democracy is the conviction of the worth of the individual.
—Robert Penn Warren, Democracy and Poetry, (1975) 1976
She hopes to avoid conviction.
In light of the evidence, a conviction seems certain.
He has three prior drunk-driving convictions.
Convictions for shoplifting have made it difficult for her to get a job.
a person of deep convictions
They share my strong conviction that the policy is misguided.
Recent Examples on the Web
Facility operators found in violation of this measure would be ineligible to apply for homelessness assistance grants from the state for three years following their conviction.
—Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Feb. 2026
Of those detained, 73% had no criminal conviction, nearly half had no criminal conviction at all, nor any pending criminal charges; and only 5% had a violent criminal conviction, according to Cato Institute data.
—Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Davis’ action vacated the convictions of Greenlee and Irvin and dismissed the indictments against Thomas and Shepherd.
—News Service Of Florida, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Agents arrested a growing number of people with no criminal records, while picking up fewer people with convictions or pending charges, an Observer investigation found.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conviction
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Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Feb. 2026
Of those detained, 73% had no criminal conviction, nearly half had no criminal conviction at all, nor any pending criminal charges; and only 5% had a violent criminal conviction, according to Cato Institute data.
—Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Davis’ action vacated the convictions of Greenlee and Irvin and dismissed the indictments against Thomas and Shepherd.
—News Service Of Florida, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Agents arrested a growing number of people with no criminal records, while picking up fewer people with convictions or pending charges, an Observer investigation found.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conviction
Cite this Entry
“Conviction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conviction. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
conviction
noun
con·vic·tion
kən-ˈvik-shən
1
: the act of convicting : the state of being convicted
2
a
: a strong belief or opinion
has deep convictions
b
: the state of mind of a person who is sure that what he or she believes or says is true
spoke with conviction
Legal Definition
conviction
noun
con·vic·tion
1
: the act or process of convicting
also
: the final judgment entered after a finding of guilt
a prior conviction of murder
would not overturn the conviction
compare acquittal
Note: Jurisdictions differ as to what constitutes conviction for various statutes (as habitual offender statutes). Conviction is rarely applied to civil cases.
2
: guilt
the judge will enter a judgment of conviction—W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel
W. R. LaFave and J. H. IsraelLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
