gospel

noun gos·pel \ ˈgä-spəl \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

1 a often capitalized : the message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation

b capitalized : one of the first four New Testament books telling of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; also : a similar apocryphal (see apocrypha 2) book

c : an interpretation of the Christian message

the social gospel

2 capitalized : a lection (see lection 1) from one of the New Testament Gospels

3 : the message or teachings of a religious teacher

4 : something accepted or promoted as infallible (see infallible 1) truth or as a guiding principle or doctrine

took her words as gospel

spreading the gospel of conservation
—R. M. Hodesh

5 : gospel music

—

gospelly

play \ˈgä-spə-lē\ adjective

See gospel defined for English-language learners

See gospel defined for kids

Examples of gospel in a Sentence

a reading from the Gospel of St. John
her private gospel is to do good cheerfully and without any expectation of reward

Recent Examples of gospel from the Web

Here are five things to do April 13-18 in Lake County: Joyful song: A gospel choir concert will be held at 6 p.m. April 14 at the James Lumber Center Mainstgage Theatre.

— Lake County News-Sun, "Five things to do in Lake County April 13-18," 9 Apr. 2018
As a child growing up in the small city of Humboldt, June was one of hundreds of voices singing gospel songs without any musical instruments.

— jeremy hallock, star-telegram, "Bob Dylan digs singer-songwriter Valerie June. Now you can, too, at Old 97's fest | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 4 Apr. 2018
A month earlier Hagan had shared with the team a more traditional parable, that of the barren fig tree from the gospel of Luke.

— dan greene, SI.com, "Villanova's Dominance Proves the Power of a Well-Built Program," 3 Apr. 2018
Then-Vice President Richard Nixon, performer Harry Belafonte and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson sent messages.

— cameron mcwhirter, WSJ, "Found: The Long-Lost Link to Martin Luther King Jr.’s Last Speech," 30 Mar. 2018
Performers for opening ceremony include harmonizing singers Sweet Honey in the Rock, gospel star BeBe Winans and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

— mary colurso, AL.com, "Brittany Howard, Usher, Common, other stars to perform at Alabama Concert for Peace & Justice," 26 Mar. 2018
In December 2016, gospel music stars descended on a local community center in Richmond’s East Highland Park neighborhood.

— Longreads, "The Koch Brothers vs. God," 14 Mar. 2018
But as Americans put aside their pot prejudices, CBD users are spreading the gospel about its anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti-nausea properties.

— sarah rense, Esquire, "The 5 Best Cocktail Trends for 2018," 8 Feb. 2018
The hymn was a favorite of Martin Luther King Jr.’s, who had requested that Mahalia Jackson — a gospel singer and friend of King’s — sing it at his funeral in April 1968.

— susie schmank, Indianapolis Star, "A playwright canceled her play in 2015, afraid she'd be sued. It's coming back this week.," 22 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of gospel

Middle English, from Old English gōdspel (translation of Late Latin evangelium), from gōd good + spell tale — more at spell

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

gospel Synonyms

Synonyms

credo, creed, doctrine, dogma, ideology (also idealogy), philosophy, testament;

Related Words

manifesto;

metaphysic, theory;

axiom, tenet, watchword;

gospel

adjective

1 a : having a basis in or being in accordance with the gospel (see ¹gospel 1) : evangelical

ordained to the gospel ministry
—Christian Century

b : marked by special or fervid emphasis on the gospel

a gospel meeting

2 : of, relating to, or being religious songs of American origin associated with evangelism and popular devotion and marked by simple melody and harmony and elements of folk songs and blues

Recent Examples of gospel from the Web

Gospel stage production about family's struggle with alcoholism and their journey back to God through faith, hope and love.

— rasputin todd, Cincinnati.com, "Things to do this week: July 5-9," 5 July 2017
Gospel singer Bebe Winans sings beautiful hymns; New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker joins her on stage.

— capricia marshall, Harper's BAZAAR, "Behind the Scenes of Hillary's Last Days on the Campaign Trail," 15 Dec. 2016

Origin and Etymology of gospel

see ¹gospel

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

GOSPEL Defined for English Language Learners

gospel

noun

: the teachings of the Christian religion
Gospel : any one of the first four books of the Christian Bible that tell of the life of Jesus Christ
: an idea or set of ideas that someone believes and often tries to make other people believe