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.
It was a miracle that we won.
By some miracle, I was on time.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Look, Penn State fans need something positive here to remember, so let’s turn to a White Out in 2013 when Robinson soared far above Channing Stribling, seemingly suspended in midair, to haul in a miracle heave from Christian Hackenberg that set up a tying touchdown en route to a four-overtime win. The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025 That miracle has yet to reach Elias, who’s struggling to stay afloat and maintain his entrepreneurial ambitions. Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025 Some influencers portray testosterone as a miracle fix, while critics dismiss it entirely. Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 Nov. 2025 But one might be forgiven for believing in the possibility of miracles. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for miracle

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

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Cite this Entry

“Miracle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miracle. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

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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