atheism

noun

athe·​ism ˈā-thē-ˌi-zəm 

1

a

: a lack of belief or a strong disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods

b

: a philosophical or religious position characterized by disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods

2

archaic : godlessness especially in conduct : ungodliness, wickedness

Examples of atheism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Italian frequently invoked his potentially incendiary political and religious beliefs (socialism and atheism) in his analyses, and almost never engages in the kind of de-escalatory coachspeak that permeates most MLS press conferences. —Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

Her counterargument, essentially, is that his atheism, too, boils down to a kind of feeling. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024

There’s nothing wrong with abandoning atheism per se, but upending worldviews should always be handled with care, caution, and available support. —Oshan Jarow, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024

The life-celebrating movement initially rode atheism’s growing waves but welcomes a wide range of beliefs, said Ross Llewallyn of Sunday Assembly Atlanta. —Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French athéisme, from athée atheist, from Greek atheos godless, from a- + theos god

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

atheism

noun

athe·​ism ˈā-thē-ˌiz-əm 

: the belief that there is no God

atheist

-thē-əst

noun

atheistic

ˌā-thē-ˈis-tik

adjective