miracle

/ˈmɪrɪkəl/

/ˈmɪrəkəl/

Other forms: miracles

A miracle is an event so marvelous that it seems like it was sent from above. Catching that foul ball from the stands at the World Series? A miracle!

Miracle, a noun meaning “amazing or wonderful occurrence," comes from the Latin miraculum “object of wonder." Dig way back and the word derives from smeiros, meaning "to smile," which is exactly what you do when a miracle happens. To quote the American-French author Anais Nin, “The dream was always running ahead of me. To catch up, to live for a moment in unison with it, that was the miracle.” Just ask any rock star.

Definitions of miracle

1. noun

   a marvellous event manifesting a supernatural act of a divine agent
   examples:

   Ascension of Christ

   (New Testament) the rising of the body of Jesus into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection

   Resurrection of Christ

   (New Testament) the rising of Christ on the third day after the Crucifixion

   types:

   Assumption

   (Christianity) the taking up of the body and soul of the Virgin Mary when her earthly life had ended

   Transfiguration, Transfiguration of Jesus

   (New Testament) the sudden emanation of radiance from the person of Jesus

   type of:

   event

   something that happens at a given place and time
2. noun

   any amazing or wonderful occurrence
   type of:

   happening, natural event, occurrence, occurrent

   an event that happens