devotional

adjective

de·vo·tion·al | \ di-ˈvō-shnəl

How to pronounce devotional (audio)

, -shə-nᵊl, dē- \

Definition of devotional

(Entry 1 of 2)

: of, relating to, or characterized by devotion devotional literature

devotional

noun

Definition of devotional (Entry 2 of 2)

: a short worship service

Other Words from devotional Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about devotional

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for devotional

Synonyms: Adjective

Antonyms: Adjective

Examples of devotional in a Sentence

Adjective a religious bookstore with an extensive stock of devotional literature

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Ryan Gabriel’s devotional speech was the first from a Black faculty member in 14 years. — Courtney Tanner, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Black BYU professor urges Latter-day Saints to end ‘sin of racism’," 7 Apr. 2021 But this 13-song collection is her first complete volume of devotional music. — Hilary Hughes, EW.com, "Carrie Underwood's first gospel album is straightforward and stunning," 28 Mar. 2021 Yet unlike European countries, America is not becoming clearly less devotional as its churches retreat. — The Economist, "America’s new religious war Religious fervour is migrating into politics," 27 Mar. 2021 Over time, the orchestra takes charge, and, about halfway through, a swell of strings washes over everything, calling to mind Alice Coltrane’s swirling, devotional music. — Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, "Pharoah Sanders Takes on Electronic Music," 22 Mar. 2021 Austin cites two reasons why BYU should take both an academic and a devotional approach to religious education: developing empathy and enhancing spiritual maturity. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "BYU shifts its hiring for religious studies, putting faith-building before scholarship," 6 Mar. 2021 Two items that Lau said have increased in demand during the pandemic are a daily devotional addressing how to handle the worries and challenges of life, and a meditation booklet to help process the death of a Christian loved one. — Ryan Patterson, Star Tribune, "Bookstores adapt to pandemic with online orders, shipping," 15 Feb. 2021 Participants all wear masks for the 2020 First Presidency Christmas devotional broadcast on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, held in the Conference Center Theater on Temple Square. — Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune, "What would Jesus do? LDS apostle Dale Renlund says wearing a mask shows ‘Christlike’ love.," 7 Dec. 2020 Here is Dickinson connecting with American history in a personal, almost devotional manner, particularly in her preference for Washington’s military title. — Eddie Dean, Washington Post, "Retracing the poet’s wild — at least for her — excursion to Washington," 30 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Strengthened from an early-morning devotional, the 59-year-old prays during his roughly 12-minute commute to work each day. — Los Angeles Times, "Hospital chaplains embrace new role during the pandemic: caring for caregivers," 19 Mar. 2021 In a Brigham Young University devotional this week, apostle Gary E. Stevenson also talked about how missionaries go about their work in the time of COVID-19. — David Noyce, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Latest from Mormon Land: Hollands return to their roots; ‘Book of Mormon’ musical celebrates a milestone," 4 Mar. 2021 However, the disjunction from the General Conference talk seems only clearer in the Brigham Young University devotional. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "Commentary: How LDS apostle Dallin Oaks’ comments on racism and Black Lives Matter fall short," 19 Nov. 2020 Highlights will include: An opening interfaith devotional at 3 p.m. on Aug. 23. — Jeanne Houck, The Enquirer, "'Compassion Through Action' festival of faiths begins Sunday in Greater-Cincinnati area," 23 Aug. 2020 Book of Hours, his 2014 collection, takes its name from the popular Christian prayer devotional. — Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, "How Poetry Helps Us Through Grief," 1 Aug. 2020 Interfaith Paths to Peace now presents daily programs — from enneagram studies to yoga and meditation, devotionals, prayers and spiritual conversations with Louisville’s most influential faith leaders. — Savannah Eadens, The Courier-Journal, "Online programs have been unexpected blessing for this Louisville interfaith organization," 15 May 2020 And in 2018, the company removed a gay conversion therapy app from a religious group called Living Hope Ministries, which included anti-gay podcasts, articles and devotionals, following complaints from LGBTQ advocacy organizations. — NBC News, "'God's Own Country' director recants Amazon boycott over censorship of gay sex scenes," 20 May 2020 Rice describes how he's been spending his time, starting with a daily devotional, Bible study and journaling, self-care habits that evolved out of a mental-health crisis that occurred five years ago. — Nancy Kruh, PEOPLE.com, "Chase Rice Goes Deep with Message in New Music Video: 'Right Now Is All We've Got'," 14 May 2020

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about devotional

Dictionary Entries near devotional

Statistics for devotional

Last Updated

20 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Devotional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devotional. Accessed 6 May. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for devotional

devotional

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of devotional

: relating to or used in religious services

See the full definition for devotional in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Keep scrolling for more

Comments on devotional

What made you want to look up devotional? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

deep-six

Listen to the pronunciation of deep-six

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Star Wars Words Quiz

The bounty portion of bounty hunters (such as Boba Fett) comes from a Latin word meaning

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

TAKE THE QUIZ