1. religious folk songs that originated among enslaved African Americans in the southern United States
Usage: plural form; music history

Examples

• The choir performed traditional spirituals during the church service.
• “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” is one of the most famous spirituals.
• Many spirituals contained coded messages about freedom and escape.
• The concert featured a collection of spirituals from the 19th century.
• Students learned about spirituals in their American music history class.
• The spiritual “Go Down, Moses” tells the story of liberation from bondage.