scripture

noun

scrip·​ture ˈskrip(t)-shər How to pronounce scripture (audio)
1
a(1)
capitalized : the books of the Bible
often used in plural
(2)
often capitalized : a passage from the Bible
b
: a body of writings considered sacred or authoritative
2
: something written
the primitive man's awe for any scriptureGeorge Santayana

Examples of scripture in a Sentence

someone who frequently quotes Scripture
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Good Courage Farm and the Episcopal Church had different readers each time the same scripture was read. Judy Holmes, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025 On the one side stood religious fundamentalism with its insistence on a literal reading of scripture and submission to institutional authority; on the other stood scientific naturalism with its insistence that only empirical methods were valid routes to knowledge. Ben Woollard, JSTOR Daily, 29 Jan. 2025 For example, in the first-century Gospels, John the Baptist, a contemporary of Jesus, confronts the ruler of Galilee, Herod Antipas, for marrying his brother’s wife – a practice forbidden in the Hebrew scriptures. Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025 The goddess of Lakshmi is depicted with four hands, which are meant to represent the four main goals in life and the four Vedas (Hindu scripture). Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for scripture 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin scriptura, from Latin, act or product of writing, from scriptus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of scripture was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near scripture

Cite this Entry

“Scripture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scripture. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

scripture

noun
scrip·​ture ˈskrip-chər How to pronounce scripture (audio)
1
a
capitalized : the books of the Old and New Testaments or of either of them : bible
often used in plural
b
often capitalized : a portion of writing from the Bible
2
: the sacred writings of a religion
Etymology

Middle English scripture, Scripture "the books of the Bible," from Latin scriptura (same meaning), from earlier scriptura "the act or product of writing," from scriptus, past participle of scribere "to write" — related to scribe

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