Gloria in Excelsis Deo

[ glawr-ee-uh in ek-sel-sis dey-oh, glohr- ]

noun

1. the hymn beginning, in Latin, Gloria in Excelsis Deo, “Glory in the highest to God,” and in the English version, “Glory be to God on high.”

Gloria in Excelsis Deo

/ ɛksˈtʃɛlsɪs; ˈɡlɔːrɪˌɑː; ˈɡlɔːrɪə ɪn ɛkˈsɛlsɪsˈ deɪəʊ /

noun

1. the Greater Doxology, beginning in Latin with these words See doxology
2. a musical setting of this, usually incorporated into the Ordinary of the Mass

Word History and Origins

Origin of Gloria in Excelsis Deo¹

literally: glory to God in the highest

Example Sentences

Carolers sang “Gloria in excelsis Deo.”

From Washington Post

A five-piece brass ensemble from a local performing arts school on a recent afternoon played a selection of holiday pieces, culminating with the inspirational “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.”

From Los Angeles Times

Dennett sang the words “Gloria, gloria / In excelsis Deo” with great seriousness, his hands at his sides, his eyes faraway.

From The New Yorker

The Epiphany Choir and a string quartet, led by the organist and choirmaster Larry Long, offer a program that includes the centuries-old “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” by Hans Leo Hassler and Ralph Vaughan Williams’s “The Blessed Son of God.”

From New York Times

After singing Gloria in excelsis Deo in Easter Mass, the archbishop lights a fuse inside a mechanical dove connected to the wire which speeds through the church and ignites the fireworks inside the cart for a 20-minute display that is supposed to guarantee a good harvest and good business for the upcoming year.

From Forbes