gospel music

American

noun

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.

gospel music Cultural

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.

Etymology

Origin of gospel music

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

gospel music

The first thing I’d probably do aside from washing my face and brushing my teeth, is put on gospel music or listen to anything that can put my mind at ease.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 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

Country and gospel music weren’t on her radar.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 25, 2025

JP says his momma wakes him at the crack of dawn by turning gospel music on high, and he gets up and starts cleaning.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023