English Reference
noun

scripture

n.
US /ˈskɹɪptʃɝ/ UK /skɹˈɪptʃɐ/ scrip·ture UK spelling scriptures

  1. 01 C2 Proficiency Literary

    a piece of writing or a statement that people treat as a final, absolute truth.

    an authoritative or highly respected statement or body of writing, often treated as beyond question. Used figuratively outside of religious contexts.

    Simple

    In that office, the manager's handbook was treated as scripture.

    In context

    For decades, the professor's early theories were regarded as scripture by his students, leaving little room for dissenting opinions.

Church and State describes itself as a “Christian political education ministry” teaching people to look at political issues and candidates through the lens of Scripture.

The Guardian· 25 Aug 2026

We cannot remain silent." The World Sikh Organization said a copy of the Sikh scripture inside the temple was also desecrated in the attack.

BBC News· 21 Aug 2026

From Latin scrīptūra (“a writing, scripture”), from scrīptum, the supine of scrībō (“I write”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated