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Good tidings we bring to you and your kin, goes a line from the popular 16th-century carol "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Another carol, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (1833), speaks of "tidings of comfort and joy." Although there is nothing inherent in the meaning or origin of "tiding" that specifically pertains to Christmas (it derives via Middle English from Old English and relates to betide, meaning "to happen especially by fate"), we most often see the word in contexts pertaining to the Christmas season. The most notable usage, perhaps, occurs in Luke 2:10 of the King James Bible, when the angel delivers the news of the arrival of the Savior: "Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."
Examples of tiding in a Sentence
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025
To paraphrase Mahalia Jackson’s memorable description of gospel, the music brought good tidings and good news to my life.
—Santi Elijah Holley, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Adding to the bad tidings last week was a final $7 billion estimate for the cost of a state bill boosting benefits for police and fire pensioners through 2055.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
All the while, the fans and the stars bring good tidings of cheer, joy and hilarity to festive events like carol-oke, holiday trivia challenges and Christmas competitions.
—Breanne L. Heldman, People.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tiding
Cite this Entry
“Tiding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tiding. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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