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The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, ordered that enslaved people living in rebellious territories be released from the bonds of ownership and made free people—their own masters. Though the proclamation's initial impact was limited, the order was true to the etymology of emancipation, which comes from a Latin word combining the prefix e-, meaning "away," and mancipare, meaning "to transfer ownership of.”
Examples of emancipation in a Sentence
Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 26 May 2024
At first, guests of honor of the enslaved people at the center table of this celebratory feast acknowledged the abundance associated with emancipation.
—Jessica B. Harris, Southern Living, 13 May 2024
Thomas is a history professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who researches freedom suits, lawsuits brought by enslaved people against slaveholders for their emancipation.
—Maya Lora, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2024
The anticipation of Watch Night, designated the eve of emancipation awaiting the news of freedom, did not come as news of freedom did not reach Texas until six months later.
—Jessica B. Harris, Southern Living, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for emancipation 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'emancipation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Emancipation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emancipation. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
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