(1) An open profession of faith (Luke 12:8).

(2.) An acknowledment of sins to God (Leviticus 16:21; Ezra 9:5-15; Dan. 9:3-12), and to a neighbour whom we have wronged (James 5:16; Matthew 18:15).

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) Acknowledgment; avowal, especially in a matter pertaining to one's self; the admission of a debt, obligation, or crime.

2. (n.) Acknowledgment of belief; profession of one's faith.

3. (n.) The act of disclosing sins or faults to a priest in order to obtain sacramental absolution.

4. (n.) A formulary in which the articles of faith are comprised; a creed to be assented to or signed, as a preliminary to admission to membership of a church; a confession of faith.

5. (n.) An admission by a party to whom an act is imputed, in relation to such act. A judicial confession settles the issue to which it applies; an extrajudicial confession may be explained or rebutted.