scripture

noun

scrip·​ture ˈskrip(t)-shər 

1

a(1)

Scripture : the books of the Bible

—often used in plural

(2)

often Scripture : a passage from the Bible

b

: a body of writings considered sacred or authoritative

2

: something written

… the primitive man's awe for any scripture …

—George Santayana

Synonyms of scripture

• Bible
• Book

Examples of scripture in a Sentence

someone who frequently quotes Scripture

Recent Examples on the Web

Through music, prayer, and scripture, everyone will have the chance to honor God with their voices. —Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026

During her tenure, her department has on multiple occasions released slick social-media recruitment videos in which scripture verses feature prominently. —Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026

For someone like Crystal, whose childhood would have been violently destroyed by the Rage outbreak, the remnants of human culture become distorted scripture. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026

Guns, senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Gary, preached a sermon based on scripture that told of the Israelites repeatedly forgetting their history and having God’s protection removed from them. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin scriptura, from Latin, act or product of writing, from scriptus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Kids Definition

scripture

noun

scrip·​ture ˈskrip-chər 

1

a

capitalized : the books of the Old and New Testaments or of either of them : bible

—often used in plural

b

often capitalized : a portion of writing from the Bible

2

: the sacred writings of a religion

Etymology

Middle English scripture, Scripture "the books of the Bible," from Latin scriptura (same meaning), from earlier scriptura "the act or product of writing," from scriptus, past participle of scribere "to write" — related to scribe