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

What these crypto-religious artists shared was a vision of divinity shot through with doubt and wonder, weighing the desires of the flesh against the ephemerality of the holy spirit.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2025

The congregants Binda addressed in the rural area of Seke sang about being protected by the holy spirit, but have at least acknowledged soap and masks as a defense against the coronavirus.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 13, 2021

He was imbued with the holy spirit of gospel music and landed instead on something faddishly called rock-and-roll.

From Washington Post • Apr. 13, 2018

Sister Jean Delores Schmidt was off camera, but I assume she gave the holy spirit a chest bump or something similarly cool.

From Slate • Mar. 15, 2018

Come, holy spirit, Come, holy spirit, Lord bless us, Us, your children.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane