credence
noun
cre·dence
ˈkrē-dᵊn(t)s 
1
a
: mental acceptance as true or real
give credence to gossip
b
: credibility sense 1
lends credence to the theory
an idea that is gaining credence
2
: credentials
—used in the phrase letters of credence
3
[Middle French, from Old Italian credenza]
: a Renaissance sideboard used chiefly for valuable plate
4
: a small table where the bread and wine rest before consecration
Examples of credence in a Sentence
The theory is gaining credence among scientists.
I'm afraid I don't put much credence in common gossip.
Recent Examples on the Web
Psychology also lent credence to a salami-slicing approach.
—
Michael Poznansky, Foreign Affairs, 3 Jan. 2025
Perhaps this is to get around Egyptian cinema’s censorious norms, which lends credence to Khalifa’s initially hazy approach to details and relationships, as Ghada prepares to embark on her hajj to Mecca.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 30 Dec. 2024
Advertising from telehealth companies, along with data showing that a sizable portion of men who get testosterone don’t even get their levels checked beforehand, lends credence to their fears.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024
Philosopher David Chalmers assigns a greater than 25 percent credence to the idea that generative AI systems might reasonably be called conscious by the year 2032.
—Michelle Weber, Longreads, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for credence 
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Michael Poznansky, Foreign Affairs, 3 Jan. 2025
Perhaps this is to get around Egyptian cinema’s censorious norms, which lends credence to Khalifa’s initially hazy approach to details and relationships, as Ghada prepares to embark on her hajj to Mecca.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 30 Dec. 2024
Advertising from telehealth companies, along with data showing that a sizable portion of men who get testosterone don’t even get their levels checked beforehand, lends credence to their fears.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024
Philosopher David Chalmers assigns a greater than 25 percent credence to the idea that generative AI systems might reasonably be called conscious by the year 2032.
—Michelle Weber, Longreads, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for credence
Dictionary Entries Near credence
Cite this Entry
“Credence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/credence. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
credence
noun
cre·dence
ˈkrēd-ᵊn(t)s
1
: a ready acceptance of something as true or real
give credence to gossip
2
: credibility sense 1
lends credence to the theory
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