1. The act of cleaning by getting rid of impurities
   "The purification of the water supply was essential for public health"
    
2. The process of removing impurities (as from oil, metals or sugar etc.)
   "The purification of the water supply required several steps";
   - refining, refinement
    
3. The act of purging of sin or guilt; moral or spiritual cleansing
   "purification through repentance"
    
4. A ceremonial cleansing from defilement or uncleanness by the performance of appropriate rites
   "The tribe performed a purification ritual before entering the sacred grounds";
   - purgation

Derived forms: purifications

Type of: ceremony, clean, cleaning, cleansing, cleanup, processing, purgation, purge, purging

Encyclopedia: Purification