credence

noun cre·dence \ ˈkrē-dᵊn(t)s \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: credence in a Sentence

Editor's Note: What Is The Difference Between credence and belief?

Definition of credence

1 a : mental acceptance as true or real

give credence to gossip

b : credibility 1

lends credence to the theory

an idea that is gaining credence

2 : credentials —used in the phrase letters of credence

[Middle French, from Old Italian credenza]

: a Renaissance sideboard used chiefly for valuable plate

4 : a small table where the bread and wine rest before consecration

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Examples of credence in a Sentence

The theory is gaining credence among scientists.
I'm afraid I don't put much credence in common gossip.

Recent Examples of credence from the Web

The 2016 RX-Vision concept—unveiled at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show—gave credence to a salacious rumor: that a dedicated band of engineers with nothing to lose are still developing the next great rotary engine, somewhere in a Hiroshima skunkworks.

— blake z. rong, Popular Mechanics, "The Evolution of the Combustion Engine," 5 June 2018
Some condemned her return in advance, pointing to past experiences (and previous tweets) in which the comedian, an avowed supporter of President Trump, gave credence to horrible conspiracy theories.

— bill keveney, USA TODAY, "Roseanne will never change, and that's why her No. 1 show is now canceled," 29 May 2018
Boyles said the scenario gave credence to a message the Fire Department often shares with the community: The public should learn the basics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

— hannah fry, latimes.com, "Off-duty Newport Beach paramedic helps save man at neighbor’s home," 11 May 2018
But the Western Conference finals certainly leant credence to this Golden State iteration being a little more storyboard than material.

— the crossover staff, SI.com, "2018 NBA Finals: Warriors-Cavs IV Picks, Random Predictions and More," 31 May 2018
The episode has given credence to the allegation of potential cooperation with Russia.

— matt viser, BostonGlobe.com, "Collusion debate hits a foggy bottom," 19 May 2018
The ruling could also have implications for the DC case and whether the administration's legal reasoning gains credence.

— tal kopan, CNN, "7 states sue to end DACA, potentially jumbling its legal future," 1 May 2018
Fans eagerly debated the dispute, but that it was even volleyed gives credence to a cultural falsity.

— jason parham, WIRED, "Beyoncé, Kendrick, Kanye, and How the World Seeks to Limit Black Genius," 20 Apr. 2018
The same goes for the NL West foes involved in the Rockies-Padres brawl, which gives further credence to our possible trend setters — the Diamondbacks and Cardinals — both of whom play in separate divisions.

— richard morin, azcentral, "Outbreak of MLB brawls: Did the Arizona Diamondbacks start the fire?," 12 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'credence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

What Is The Difference Between credence and belief?

Credence is close in meaning to belief, but there are differences. Unlike belief, credence is seldom used in connection with faith in a religion or philosophy. Instead credence is often used in reference to reports, rumors, and opinions. And, unlike belief, it tends to be used with the words give, lack, lend,and gain. So a new piece of evidence may lend credence to the alibi of a criminal suspect. Claims that a political candidate can become the next President gain credence only after the candidate wins a few primaries. And although stories about Elvis sightings persist, they lack credence for most people.

Origin and Etymology of credence

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin credentia, from Latin credent-, credens, present participle of credere to believe, trust — more at creed

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year