A survey of reviews by McCarroll, each dealing with the topic of spirituality, gave twenty-seven explicit definitions among which 'there was little agreement'. Surveys of the definition of the term, as used in scholarly research, show a broad range of definitions with limited overlap. There is no single, widely agreed-upon definition of spirituality.

The term 'spirituality' is derived from Middle French spiritualité, from Late Latin 'spiritualitatem' (nominative spiritualitas), which is also derived from Latin spiritualis. The term 'spiritual', meaning 'concerning the spirit', is derived from Old French spirituel (12c.), which is derived from Latin spiritualis, which comes by spiritus or 'spirit'. In the Vulgate, the Latin word spiritus is used to translate the Greek pneuma and Hebrew ruach. It is derived from the Old French espirit, which comes from the Latin word spiritus ( soul, ghost, courage, vigor, breath) and is related to spirare (to breathe). The term spirit means 'animating or vital principle in man and animals'. Healthy spirituality fosters healthy relationships and affirms all of life’s experiences as part of Eric Lankin has noted “Spirituality is a personal quest for the transcendent, how one discerns life’s meaning in relation to God and other human beings. This may involve belief in a supernatural realm beyond the ordinarily observable world, personal growth, a quest for an ultimate or sacred meaning, religious experience, or an encounter with one's own 'inner dimension'. Modern usages tend to refer to a subjective experience of a sacred dimension and the 'deepest values and meanings by which people live', often in a context separate from organized religious institutions. In modern times, the term both spread to other religious traditions and broadened to refer to a wider range of experiences, including a range of esoteric and religious traditions. The term was used within early Christianity to refer to a life oriented toward the Holy Spirit and broadened during the Late Middle Ages to include mental aspects of life. Traditionally, spirituality referred to a religious process of re-formation which 'aims to recover the original shape of man', oriented at 'the image of God' as exemplified by the founders and sacred texts of the religions of the world. The meaning of spirituality has developed and expanded over time, and various meanings can be found alongside each other.

Ia writer 4.2.1