miracle

noun

mir·​a·​cle ˈmir-i-kəl How to pronounce miracle (audio)
1
: an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs
the healing miracles described in the Gospels
2
: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment
The bridge is a miracle of engineering.
3
Christian Science : a divinely natural phenomenon experienced humanly as the fulfillment of spiritual law

Examples of miracle in a Sentence

She believed that God had given her the power to work miracles. It would take a miracle for this team to win. the miracle of his recovery These days, thanks to the miracle of television, we can watch events happening on the other side of the world.
Recent Examples on the Web Getting there without a significant spike in unemployment would be close to a miracle in the eyes of Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 6 Sep. 2023 Barring a miracle, the last time Ohtani’s face will sit atop an Angels uniform will be Oct. 1 during the last game of the season. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2023 To Floyd Dominy, the man ultimately responsible for the building of the Glen Canyon Dam—and its greatest champion—the reservoir that became Lake Powell was a thing of pure beauty, a miracle in the desert. Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2023 But even a miracle cure won't save you if it's priced beyond your reach. Harold Maass, The Week, 1 Sep. 2023 That the first sentence of Clive Barnes’ review in the Times didn’t kill her fledgling career was something of a miracle. Neil Genzlinger, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2023 This vase comes in three different colors and will set you back less than $30—a gift-giving miracle. Jake Smith, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2023 Getting into the top 30 of the brutally competitive pro tour is almost a miracle to begin with. Tom Shroder, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2023 Then, in what seemed like a miracle, Ward wagged his tail. Cathy Free, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'miracle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin mīrāculum, going back to Latin, "something amazing, marvel," from mīrārī "to be surprised, look with wonder at" + -culum, suffix of instrument (going back to Indo-European *-tlom) — more at admire

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of miracle was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near miracle

Cite this Entry

“Miracle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miracle. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

miracle

noun
mir·​a·​cle ˈmir-i-kəl How to pronounce miracle (audio)
1
: an extraordinary event taken as a sign of the supernatural power of God
2
: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment
Etymology

Middle English miracle "a miracle," from early French miracle (same meaning), derived from Latin miraculum "a wonder," from mirari "to wonder at" — related to admire

More from Merriam-Webster on miracle

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