Pentecostal

[ pen-ti-kaw-stuhl, -stl, -kos-tuhl, -tl- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Pentecost, a Christian festival commemorating the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the apostles.
2. noting or relating to any of various Christian groups, usually fundamentalist, that emphasize the activity of the Holy Spirit, stress holiness of living, and express their religious feelings uninhibitedly, as by speaking in tongues.

noun

1. Also called Pente·costal·ist. a member of any Pentecostal denomination.

Pentecostal

/ ˌpɛntɪˈkɒstəl /

adjective

1. usually prenominal of or relating to any of various Christian groups that emphasize the charismatic aspects of Christianity and adopt a fundamental attitude to the Bible
2. of or relating to Pentecost or the influence of the Holy Ghost

noun

1. a member of a Pentecostal Church

Derived Forms

• ˌPenteˈcostalist, nounadjective
• ˌPenteˈcostalˌism, noun

Other Words From

• post-Pen·te·costal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pentecostal¹

From the Late Latin word pentēcostālis, dating back to 1540–50. See Pentecost, -al ¹

Example Sentences

The BBC has seen evidence of Pentecostal pastors in Nigeria holding services targeting alleged witches, a practice Dr Igwe says is not unusual in a country where many people believe in the supernatural.

From BBC

The self-described Reagan Republican added that local far-right meetings “felt like I was in a Pentecostal church. It’s Christian nationalism.”

From Los Angeles Times

Turning Point Pentecostal Church in Ohio posted on Facebook that Mejia was on a mission trip when the fall occurred.

From Los Angeles Times

Beginning in the 1980s, dominionist postmillennialists began making inroads in the charismatic and Pentecostal movements by emphasizing the practical demands of dominion and sidelining speculation on theological questions where they disagreed.

From Salon

According to the Ukrainian press, Kozachok, the Pentecostal bishop, was there.

From Salon