gospel music

American  

noun

1. a now popularized form of impassioned rhythmic spiritual music rooted in the solo and responsive church singing of rural African Americans in the South, central to the development of rhythm and blues and of soul music.

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gospel music Cultural  

1. Intense, joyful music that is associated with evangelists (see evangelical) in the South, especially among African-Americans. Gospel had a strong influence on many rock 'n' roll singers. Well-known gospel artists include Mahalia Jackson and the Dixie Hummingbirds.

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Etymology

Origin of gospel music

First recorded in 1950–55

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gospel music

Willis, born July 1, 1951, in Texas but a San Francisco native, grew up around gospel music in his minister father’s Baptist church.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026

"The gospel music we grew up on was hymns and traditional music," says Rutendo.

From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2026

Growing up near Houston, Texas, he was home-schooled and said he exclusively listened to gospel music until he was 13.

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2025

The family sang gospel music and were active in the Church of God in Christ, where K.C. was a deacon.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2025

At home he hardly communicated with anyone but went immediately to his tiny room, where he listened to the gospel music of James Cleveland.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

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