creed

play

noun \ ˈkrēd \

Definition of creed

1 :a brief authoritative formula of religious belief

the Nicene Creed

2 :a set of fundamental beliefs; also :a guiding principle

Never settle for mediocrity is his creed.
—Jill Lieber

—

creedal

or credal play \ˈkrē-dᵊl\ adjective

See creed defined for English-language learners

See creed defined for kids

Examples of creed in a Sentence

central to the creed of this organization of medical volunteers is the belief that health care is a basic human right
the Amish live by a strict creed that rejects many of the values and practices of modern society

Recent Examples of creed from the Web

Moreover, while many remember Dr. King's trademark four-word creed of black liberationist ideology, not so many will recognize the more than 350 speeches King delivered during his lifelong campaign against inequality.

— robert newhouse, Teen Vogue, "3 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Speeches That Are Little Known, But Important," 28 Aug. 2017
Instead, Borowski argued that his immutable characteristic was not race or creed, but his success against the Taliban in battle, and the Sharia court death warrant that followed.

— brian castner, Esquire, "The Fight of His Life," 16 Aug. 2017
Elba embodies Roland, and lives up to the Gunslinger’s creed, perfectly.

— josh spiegel, The Hollywood Reporter, "Idris Elba Is Too Good for 'The Dark Tower'," 5 Aug. 2017
Men, women, of all colors, races and creeds to realize this is an injustice.

— serena williams, Fortune, "Serena Williams: How Black Women Can Close the Pay Gap," 31 July 2017
Men, women, of all colors, races and creeds to realize this is an injustice.

— serena williams, SI.com, "Serena Williams: How Black Women Can Close the Pay Gap," 31 July 2017
Men, women, of all colors, races and creeds to realize this is an injustice.

— lindsey lanquist, SELF, "Serena Williams on Black Women's Equal Pay Day: 'Let's Get Back Those 37 Cents'," 31 July 2017
The every-man-for-himself creed of American politics has permeated all aspects of society, and Prior has reason to doubt his politically self-preening, helplessly neurotic partner’s capacity for selfless commitment.

— charles mcnulty, latimes.com, "London calling: 'Angels in America' as fresh as ever at the National Theatre," 19 July 2017
Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.

— carol kovach, cleveland.com, "Westlake Porter Public Library's STEAM Week offers programs for all ages: West Shore Chatter," 18 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of creed

Middle English crede, from Old English crēda, from Latin credo (first word of the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds), from credere to believe, trust, entrust; akin to Old Irish cretid he believes, Sanskrit śrad-dadhāti

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year