denomination

noun

de·​nom·​i·​na·​tion di-ˌnä-mə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: an act of denominating

the denomination of prices in U.S. dollars

2

: a value or size of a series of values or sizes

metric denominations

especially : the value of a particular coin or bill

bills in $20 and $50 denominations

3

: name, designation

especially : a general name for a category

listed under the general denomination of gifts

4

: a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices

people from several different Christian denominations

denominational

di-ˌnä-mə-ˈnā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

denominationally adverb

Synonyms

• appellation
• appellative
• cognomen
• compellation
• denotation
• designation
• handle
• moniker
• monicker
• name
• nomenclature
• title

Examples of denomination in a Sentence

People from several different religious denominations participated in the event.

Methodists, Baptists, and other Christian denominations.

It's one of the more conservative denominations.

The kidnappers asked for bills in small denominations.

The gift certificates are available in $5 and $10 denominations.

She spoke with people of many different political denominations.

Recent Examples on the Web

Mennonites are a diverse group of Christian denominations rooted in the Protestant Reformation who believe in a commitment to pacifism and nonresistance. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025

The study also shows that there are many people who are religiously observant but don’t necessarily identify with a particular denomination. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025

The siblings come across a dollar bill of unfamiliar denomination frozen in a patch of ice. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2025

Rising material costs have affected all denominations. —Ash Reynolds, NBC News, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see denominate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for denomination

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

denomination

noun

de·​nom·​i·​na·​tion di-ˌnäm-ə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: an act of denominating

2

: one of a series of related values each having a special name

a $5 bill represents one denomination of U.S. money

3

: name entry 1 sense 1, designation

especially : a general name for a class of things

4

: a religious body made up of a number of congregations with similar beliefs

denominational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective