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  • Scripture
    Scripture
    noun
    Often Scriptures. the sacred writings of the Old or New Testaments or both together.
  • scripture
    scripture
    noun
    a sacred, solemn, or authoritative book or piece of writing
Synonyms

Scripture

American  
[skrip-cher] / ˈskrɪp tʃər /

noun

  1. Also called Holy Scripture.  Also called Holy Scriptures.  Often Scriptures. the sacred writings of the Old or New Testaments or both together.

  2. (often lowercase) any writing or book, especially when of a sacred or religious nature.

  3. (sometimes lowercase) a particular passage from the Bible; text.


Scripture 1 British  
/ ˈskrɪptʃə /

noun

  1. Also called: Holy Scripture.   Holy Writ.   the ScripturesChristianity the Old and New Testaments

  2. any book or body of writings, esp when regarded as sacred by a particular religious group

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

scripture 2 British  
/ ˈskrɪptʃə /

noun

  1. a sacred, solemn, or authoritative book or piece of writing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of Scripture

1250–1300; Middle English < Latin scrīptūra writing. See script, -ure

Explanation

Scripture is a sacred religious text. It usually refers to the Christian Bible, but it can refer to other religions' texts as well. The noun scripture is most often used for specifically Christian writing, and it's often capitalized. However, it can refer to any religion's sacred writing: "Hindu scripture is written on the walls of the temple." In the 1300s, scripture sometimes meant simply "writing," though it more often referred to sacred words, especially in the Christian Bible. Its root word is the Latin script, or "writing."

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Vocabulary lists containing scripture

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Never mind the miracles — according to Scripture, Sarah lived to 127 years old, while Abraham was kicking up dust until he was 175.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

They might hold a Bible study in a karaoke bar, taking questions over a meal, consulting Scripture on cellphones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

The judgment of Solomon, found in Chapter 3 of 1 Kings, is one of the most familiar stories in the Hebrew Scripture.

From Slate • Sep. 5, 2025

Taylor reads the Scientific Statement of Being, and Johnson a selection from Scripture.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2024

At school I always did fairly well, especially in the subjects I found interesting, such as English, History, Scripture, and, of course, Biology.

From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall

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