creed

noun

ˈkrēd 

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 adjective

or credal

ˈkrē-dᵊl 

Synonyms

• credo
• doctrine
• dogma
• gospel
• ideology
• idealogy
• philosophy
• testament

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 on the Web

Both suspects were charged with first-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, ridicule on account of creed, religion, color, denomination, nationality or race, second-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2025

Now much of the party are true believers in the MAGA creed and most of the rest have accepted that going along with the program is a career requirement. —Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Apr. 2025

For its 38,000 citizens, and the many visitors that travel to the second smallest country in the world, Mammon may appear to be the ruling creed. —Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 21 Mar. 2025

The basis of the American creed is that all of us are created equal, not that we are created alike. —Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for creed

• bead
• bleed
• brede
• breed
• cede
• deed
• feed
• freed
• greed
• heed
• keyed
• knead

Kids Definition

creed

noun

ˈkrēd 

1

: a statement of the basic beliefs of a religious faith

2

: a set of guiding principles or beliefs

Etymology

Middle English crede "creed," from Old English crēda (same meaning), from Latin credo, literally, "I believe" (used as the first words in many creeds), from credere "to believe, trust, entrust" — related to credentials, credit, incredible