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

A feeling of unease in a restless nation of splintered identities and conflicting creeds. —Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024

Cabello didn’t deny it and stood firmly behind her getting-back-with-an-ex creed. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2024

The principle that property rights apply to all human beings regardless of race or creed is held true by both classical liberals and libertarians. —Wanjiru Njoya, Orange County Register, 13 Feb. 2024

While both works are certainly about Christmas, the songs' lighthearted jazz has permeated pop culture to a point that nearly all of us can enjoy them, regardless of faith or creed. —EW.com, 16 Nov. 2023

Rothko’s religious experiences are offered without a particular creed, just elegant form and enveloping color. —Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 24 Jan. 2024

Stone also had contacts with the Proud Boys, a right-wing group known for street violence, and has been recorded reciting the group’s creed in a video released by the House January 6 committee. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2024

This creed became his middle son’s inheritance, the core of his self-conception as the uniquely unillusioned defender of the State of Israel. —David Remnick, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2024

And for decades, Unitarian Universalist congregations, which grew out of Christian movements, have drawn on teachings from both religious and nonreligious traditions, without imposing specific creeds of their own. —CBS News, 11 Jan. 2024

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

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