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 of creed

• ideology
• philosophy

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

The pronouncement has begun to resemble a religious creed—a ritualistic profession of devotion to prevailing homelessness policy, and true believers will not have their faith shaken by empirical observation to the contrary. —Christopher Calton, Oc Register, 4 Dec. 2025

Throughout decades of duty and service, the late monarch expressed other heartfelt sentiments in her speeches — from addressing the importance of tackling climate change to reminding people to love their neighbors regardless of race, religion or creed. —Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025

While in Turkey, Leo will take part in an event Friday in Iznik with Patriarch Bartholomew and other church leaders to mark the creed’s anniversary. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025

The administration views ancestry, not a commitment to the nation’s creed, as the foundation of citizenship. —Time, 12 Nov. 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