scripture

noun

scrip·​ture ˈskrip(t)-shər 

1

a(1)

Scripture : the books of the Bible

—often used in plural

(2)

often Scripture : 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 of scripture

• Bible
• Book

Examples of scripture in a Sentence

someone who frequently quotes Scripture

Recent Examples on the Web

After sermons and scripture reading, family and friends clad in colorful clothing danced down the aisle. — Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026

Damien’s brother, reading Latin scripture in a clean cassock 12,000 kilometers away, faced no such danger and no such accusations of moral lapse. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026

Guests also visited a memory table filled with photos of Love and her father together, along with some of his favorite things, including a football, weights and his scriptures. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026

Justice is a central theme of the scriptures; nations are judged based on their treatment of the poor. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 24 June 2026

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