Scripture

[skrip-cher]

noun

1. Also called Holy Scripture. Also called Holy Scriptures. Often Scriptures. the sacred writings of the Old or New Testaments or both together.

2. (often lowercase),  any writing or book, especially when of a sacred or religious nature.

3. (sometimes lowercase),  a particular passage from the Bible; text.

Scripture

¹

/ ˈskrɪptʃə /

noun

1. Also called: Holy Scripture.  Holy Writ.  the Scriptures. Christianity the Old and New Testaments

2. any book or body of writings, esp when regarded as sacred by a particular religious group

scripture

²

/ ˈskrɪptʃə /

noun

1. a sacred, solemn, or authoritative book or piece of writing

Other Word Forms

• anti-Scripture adjective
• pro-Scripture adjective
• subscripture noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Scripture¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Latin scrīptūra writing. See script, -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of Scripture¹

C13: from Latin scriptūra written material, from scrībere to write

Example Sentences

But the balancing act ended when she read from the Old Testament—Jewish Scripture—on a day of national celebration, and the 13-year-old daughter of a baroness loyal to the Nazis informed on her.

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Appeared in the November 14, 2025, print edition as 'The Catholic Case for Purgatory in Scripture'.

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“There is no greater calling than being civically engaged and bringing the values that Scripture teaches us into every realm of the earth,” Schatzline said.

Read more on Salon

Slavery was the basis of their wealth, and they aggressively justified it by citing Scripture as well as the law.

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They might hold a Bible study in a karaoke bar, taking questions over a meal, consulting Scripture on cellphones.

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Related Words

• case 
• evidence 
• experience 
• law 
• matter