scripture

noun

scrip·​ture ˈskrip(t)-shər 

1

a(1)

capitalized : the books of the Bible

—often used in plural

(2)

often capitalized : a passage from the Bible

b

: a body of writings considered sacred or authoritative

2

: something written

the primitive man's awe for any scripture

—George Santayana

Synonyms

• Bible
• Book
• Good Book
• Holy Writ

Examples of scripture in a Sentence

someone who frequently quotes Scripture

Recent Examples on the Web

The second speaker came on beginning with a scripture from the Bible, before saying that LGBTQ+ people should be hanged or drowned. —Kelsey Oliver, Sacramento Bee, 17 June 2024

Novel as the experience is for her, the spookiness surrounding it is as familiar and dog-eared as scripture: creepy nuns, ominous robed figures, lots of cheap jump scares. —A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2024

In other places, some attending her rallies came with flags depicting Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the secularizing founder of the republic, alongside green flags of Islamic scripture. —Selim Koru, Foreign Affairs, 28 June 2016

Owen Chow, a 27-year-old activist who was among those convicted, had studied Buddhist scriptures and the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk and peace activist, while in jail, according to his friends, who posted updates about him on social media on his behalf. —Tiffany May, New York Times, 30 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin scriptura, from Latin, act or product of writing, from scriptus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Kids Definition

scripture

noun

scrip·​ture ˈskrip-chər 

1

a

capitalized : the books of the Old and New Testaments or of either of them : bible

—often used in plural

b

often capitalized : a portion of writing from the Bible

2

: the sacred writings of a religion

Etymology

Middle English scripture, Scripture "the books of the Bible," from Latin scriptura (same meaning), from earlier scriptura "the act or product of writing," from scriptus, past participle of scribere "to write" — related to scribe