1
: one sent on a mission: such as
a
: one of an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and made up especially of Christ's 12 original disciples and Paul
b
: the first prominent Christian missionary to a region or group
St. Boniface, the Apostle of Germany
2
a
: a person who initiates a great moral reform or who first advocates an important belief or system
b
: an ardent supporter : adherent
apostles of high technology
3
: the highest ecclesiastical official in some church organizations
4
: one of a Mormon administrative council of 12 men
Synonyms
Examples of apostle in a Sentence
a fervent apostle of universal health care
Recent Examples on the Web
The chapel was meant to house relics of the martyrs and apostles, Rossi said.
—
Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
The story goes that 13 guests attended the Last Supper—Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles—and the next day, Good Friday, was the day of Jesus’ crucifixion.
—Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 13 Sep. 2024
The July 26 segment showed a scene resembling the famous painting of Jesus Christ and his apostles sharing a final meal, substituting a setting depicting drag queens presiding over a banquet.
—Bruce Haring, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2024
Hundreds of pilgrims hugged, cried, and drank red wine from scallop shells on the granite steps of the soaring Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a Romanesque complex that dates back to 1075 and is said to contain the remains of Saint James, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus.
—Jessica Vincent, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for apostle 
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.
Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
The story goes that 13 guests attended the Last Supper—Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles—and the next day, Good Friday, was the day of Jesus’ crucifixion.
—Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 13 Sep. 2024
The July 26 segment showed a scene resembling the famous painting of Jesus Christ and his apostles sharing a final meal, substituting a setting depicting drag queens presiding over a banquet.
—Bruce Haring, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2024
Hundreds of pilgrims hugged, cried, and drank red wine from scallop shells on the granite steps of the soaring Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a Romanesque complex that dates back to 1075 and is said to contain the remains of Saint James, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus.
—Jessica Vincent, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for apostle
Dictionary Entries Near apostle
Cite this Entry
“Apostle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apostle. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Etymology
Middle English apostle "teacher sent out by Christ," derived from Greek apostolos "one sent on a mission"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share