What is "limited atonement"

n. (context theology English) A Christian doctrine, one of the five points of Calvinism, stating that Jesus Christ's substitutionary atonement on the cross is limited in scope to those who are predestined unto salvation, which is conferred only to believers.

Limited atonement (or definite atonement or particular redemption) is a doctrine accepted in some Christian theological traditions. It is particularly associated with the Reformed tradition and is one of the five points of Calvinism. The doctrine states that though the death of Jesus Christ is sufficient to atone for the sins of the whole world, it was the intention of God the Father that the atonement of Christ's death would work itself out in the elect only, thereby leading them without fail to salvation. This is in contrast to a belief that it depends not only on God's election but also on individual human being's decision whether Christ's atonement will be effective to that individual.