Holy Spirit

American  

[hoh-lee spir-it] / ˈhoʊ li ˈspɪr ɪt /

noun

1. the spirit of God.

   Wind is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

2. the presence of God as part of a person's religious experience.

   I felt the Holy Spirit in the room with me, leading and guiding me in prayer.

3. Also called Holy Ghost.  Christianity. the third person of the Trinity.

   I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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Holy Spirit British  

noun

1. Christianity the third person of the Trinity

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Holy Spirit Cultural  

1. In the belief of many Christians (see also Christian), one of the three persons in the one God, along with the Father and the Son (Jesus is the Son); the Holy Spirit is also called the Holy Ghost. Jesus promised the Apostles that he would send the Holy Spirit after his Crucifixion and Resurrection. The Spirit came to the disciples of Jesus on Pentecost.

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Etymology

Origin of Holy Spirit

First recorded in 1300–50

Example Sentences

The Church of God in Christ Through the Holy Spirit, Inc. amounted to around a dozen people.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Nigeria's Brotherhood of the Cross and Star sees in its founder, the late Olumba Olumba Obu, "the Holy Spirit" and "the Triune God", according to its website.

From Barron's • Dec. 25, 2025

In more Pentecostal-style Christianity, it can mean an awakening to the power of the Holy Spirit and the “gifts” that come with that—speaking in tongues, for example, or faith healing.

From Slate • Oct. 1, 2025

Asked what his hope for Pope Leo XIV was, he said: "That the Holy Spirit guides him. I hope that means we can all be united together going forward."

From BBC • May 8, 2025

Now Roberto Vega was bouncing his head as if jazz were being played somewhere not far away and the congregation was coiling slowly like a snake, waiting for the Holy Spirit to strike.

From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez