Definition of "atonement"

atonement

/əˈtoʊnmənt/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural atonements
1. Making amends to restore a damaged relationship; expiation.
  Quotations
  When a man has been guilty of any vice, the best atonement he can make for it is, to warn others.
  1711 March 20 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “FRIDAY, March 9, 1710–1711”, in The Spectator, number 8; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume I, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853
  The Phocians behaved themselves with so much gallantry, that they were thought to have made a sufficient atonement for their former offense.
  1697-1698, John Potter, Archaeologia Graeca
2. (theology, often with capitalized initial) The reconciliation of God and mankind through the death of Jesus.
3. (archaic) Reconciliation; restoration of friendly relations; concord.
  Quotations
  by whom we have now received the atonement
  1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Romans 5:11
  He desires to make atonementBetwixt the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers.
  c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene iii]