Bible

[bahy-buhl]

noun

1. the collection of sacred writings of the Christian religion, comprising the Old and New Testaments.

2. Hebrew Bible.

3. Often bible the sacred writings of any religion.

4. bible, any book, reference work, periodical, etc., accepted as authoritative, informative, or reliable.

   He regarded that particular bird book as the birdwatchers' bible.

Bible

/ ˈbaɪbəl /

noun

1. 1. the sacred writings of the Christian religion, comprising the Old and New Testaments and, in the Roman Catholic Church, the Apocrypha

   2. ( as modifier )

      a Bible reading

2. the English name for Tanach

3. (often not capital) any book containing the sacred writings of a religion

4. (usually not capital) a book regarded as authoritative

   the angler's bible

Bible

¹

1. The book sacred to Christians (see also Christian), which they consider to be the inspired word of God. The Bible includes the Old Testament, which contains the sacred books of the Jews (see also Jews), and the New Testament, which begins with the birth of Jesus. Thirty-nine books of the Old Testament are accepted as part of the Bible by Christians and Jews alike. Some Christians consider several books of the Old Testament, such as Judith, I and II Maccabees, and Ecclesiasticus, to be part of the Bible also, whereas other Christians, and Jews, call these the Old Testament Apocrypha. Christians are united in their acceptance of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament; Jews do not consider the writings of the New Testament inspired. The Bible is also called “the Book” (bible means “book”).

Bible

²

1. The book sacred to Christians (see also Christian), containing the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains the writings sacred to the Jews (see also Jews).

By extension, any book considered an infallible or very reliable guide to some activity may be called a “bible.”

Other Word Forms

• anti-Bible adjective
• pro-Bible adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Bible¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English bible, bibel, from Old French bible, from Medieval Latin biblia (feminine singular), from Greek, in tà biblía tà hagía (Septuagint) “the holy books,” plural of biblíon, byblíon “papyrus roll, strip of papyrus,” equivalent to býbl(os) “papyrus” (after Býblos, a Phoenician port where papyrus was prepared and exported) + -ion noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of Bible¹

C13: from Old French, from Medieval Latin biblia books, from Greek, plural of biblion book, diminutive of biblos papyrus, from Bublos Phoenician port from which Greece obtained Egyptian papyrus

Example Sentences

In the days after his death, AI-generated audio clips of Kirk styled as “sermons” began circulating online, while supporters shared Bible verses that they claimed matched the exact timing of his passing.

From Salon

By the way, nice job recently on your presentation at the National Bible Museum, where you launched the “America Prays” initiative to celebrate spirituality and restore “our identity as one nation under God.”

From Los Angeles Times

In July, Homeland Security’s X account posted a video montage, which used audio from 2022’s “The Batman” and displayed a Bible verse onscreen.

From Los Angeles Times

Giant screens projected Bible verses and Turning Point USA ads as attendees waved flags, wept, prayed and sang along.

From Salon

He read the Bible, taking comfort in Psalm 91, a prayer of trust and protection.

From Los Angeles Times