gospel

gos·pel | \ ˈgä-spəl

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Definition of gospel

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a 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 sense 2) book

c : an interpretation of the Christian message the social gospel

2 capitalized : a lection (see lection sense 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 sense 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

gospel

adjective

Definition of gospel (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : having a basis in or being in accordance with the gospel (see gospel entry 1 sense 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

Other Words from gospel Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about gospel

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Examples of gospel in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The North Broward County chapter partnered up with the Florida Mobilization project to help with phone banks and also held a virtual gospel concert to help local voters learn about the amendments on the ballot. — Amber Randall, sun-sentinel.com, "#GlamtheVote: A Black women’s group is using social media — and fine attire — to get out the vote," 21 Oct. 2020 The first was with the 1950s gospel singing group The Four Girls with Jane Russell, Connie Haines and Beryl Davis. — Hollie Silverman, CNN, "Rhonda Fleming, film star in the 1940s and 1950s, dies at 97," 17 Oct. 2020 Unable to meet in person because of the pandemic, the university organized a slate of digital events — including a virtual Yardfest and a gospel concert this weekend — to bring the community together through their screens. — Washington Post, "Howard’s homecoming is a family reunion. In a year of loss and protest, coming together feels more urgent.," 16 Oct. 2020 Other nominees at the Billboard Awards include Kanye West, who released two gospel albums last year. — Mesfin Fekadu, chicagotribune.com, "Post Malone, Kelly Clarkson, BTS set for Billboard Awards," 14 Oct. 2020 With its driving dance beat and gospel touches, this joyous 1992 hit split the difference between Saturday night and Sunday morning. — Billboard Staff, Billboard, "The 100 Greatest Mariah Carey Songs: Staff Picks," 5 Oct. 2020 Following lunch, Pastor Dave Jaspers will present a gospel message, and the machine launch will begin at 1:30 pm. — Post-tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, "Community news," 2 Oct. 2020 Yes, radio DJs often skipped the track’s first two minutes of groovy gospel, but ignoring it 50 years later is unacceptable. — Armond White, National Review, "Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On Is a Political Decoy," 30 Sep. 2020 Battles of song were musical competitions waged between gospel groups during church revivals. — Accra Shepp, The New York Review of Books, "‘The Story I’m Telling’: An Interview with Archie Shepp," 29 Sep. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Smyth had gradually come to accept their theories too as gospel truth, and had incorporated them into his thesis. — Jimmy Maher, Ars Technica, "How alternative Egyptology and scientific archaeology were born on the Giza Plateau," 15 Mar. 2020 Meanwhile in South Carolina, Booker's campaign has launched a new radio advertisement on eight urban contemporary and gospel radio stations across the state. — Caitlin Conant, CBS News, "2020 Daily Trail Markers: Why Mike Bloomberg says he envies Cory Booker," 6 Dec. 2019 Large chunks of the film are made up of Cambridge Analytica sales decks, which the directors appear to take as gospel truth about how sophisticated and successful the company was. — L.m., The Economist, "“The Great Hack” is a misinformed documentary about misinformation," 24 July 2019 Market prices, of course, are no more gospel truth than are the extrapolations of economists. — James Mackintosh, WSJ, "Pick Your Portfolio’s Story: Late-Cycle Sugar Rush or New Boom?," 30 July 2018 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

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.