gideons international: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Religious, Institutional
Quick answer
What does “gideons international” mean?
A worldwide Christian lay organization known primarily for distributing Bibles and New Testaments.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A worldwide Christian lay organization known primarily for distributing Bibles and New Testaments.
The organization focuses on providing free copies of the Bible to hotels, hospitals, schools, prisons, and military installations. It is run by Christian business and professional men and their wives, who volunteer their time and resources. The name is a reference to the biblical figure Gideon.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The organization operates under the same name in both the UK and the US, with no variation in spelling or terminology. Differences are purely contextual (e.g., 'hotel' vs. 'inn' in older UK contexts).
Connotations
Associated with Protestant Christian evangelism and charity. The connotation is universally positive among supportive religious communities and neutral to positive in secular contexts focusing on its charitable work.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in the US, where the organization was founded and has its largest membership base. Recognizable in the UK, but may be less frequently encountered in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “gideons international” in a Sentence
[The/Ø] Gideons International [verb: distributes, places, provides] [object: Bibles, scripture] [location: in hotels, at hospitals].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gideons international” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The local group hopes to Gideon the new Travelodge by next month.
American English
- They plan to Gideon all the military bases in the state.
adjective
British English
- He found the familiar Gideon Testament in the bedside cabinet.
American English
- The hotel had the standard Gideon Bible in the drawer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used when discussing corporate social responsibility partnerships or charitable donations, e.g., 'The hotel chain has a partnership with Gideons International.'
Academic
Appears in studies of religious movements, proselytization, or the sociology of religion.
Everyday
Most commonly encountered when finding a Bible in a hotel room drawer. 'Oh look, there's a Gideon Bible in the nightstand.'
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields outside of religious studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gideons international”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gideons international”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gideons international”
- Using 'Gideon' as a common noun (e.g., 'a gideon' instead of 'a Gideon Bible'). Incorrect pluralization (e.g., 'Gideon's International' – the apostrophe is not part of the official name).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Membership is typically open to professing Christian men who are in business or professional occupations, as well as their wives through auxiliary groups.
No, Gideons International distributes Bibles and New Testaments in over 100 languages worldwide.
The Bibles are placed free of charge to the institutions and individuals. The work is funded by donations from members and supporting churches.
It was founded in 1899 in Boscobel, Wisconsin, USA.
A worldwide Christian lay organization known primarily for distributing Bibles and New Testaments.
Gideons international is usually formal, religious, institutional in register.
Gideons international: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɪd.i.ənz ˌɪn.təˈnæʃ.ən.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɪd.i.ənz ˌɪn.t̬ɚˈnæʃ.ən.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Gideon Bible (refers specifically to the edition placed by the organization)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GIDEON placing a GUIDE ON (sounds like 'Gideon') life – the Bible – in your hotel room, all around the world (International).
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION IS A DISTRIBUTOR / SCRIPTURE IS A TOOL.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary activity of Gideons International?