alleluia

[al-uh-loo-yuh]

interjection

1. praise ye the Lord; hallelujah.

noun

1. a song of praise to God.

alleluia

/ ˌælɪˈluːjə /

interjection

1. praise the Lord! Used more commonly in liturgical contexts in place of hallelujah

noun

1. a song of praise to God

Other Word Forms

• alleluiatic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alleluia¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Late Latin, from Greek allēlouíā, from Hebrew halĕlûyāh “praise Yahweh”; hallelujah ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of alleluia¹

C14: via Medieval Latin from Hebrew hallelūyāh

Example Sentences

A gospel choir sang alleluias along with the stately hymns; non-Christian religious figures were given roles in the highly Protestant ceremony.

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“I have heard! I have heard the word of God, alleluia! He said, ‘You witches come out.

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Though the Bible readings through this period warn against performing dourness for the sake of impressing people with your piety, the church itself goes stark: rough, burlaplike vestments instead of shiny finery; no “alleluias.”

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Arts at midday Soprano Mary Shaffran in a program of alleluias and hallelujahs by Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart and some surprises for the audience, including a Hallelujah Chorus sing-along.

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Related Words

• chant 
• ditty 
• oratorio 
• paean 
• psalm