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

Some Christian denominations wait at least 12 days after Christmas until January 6th, also known as The Epiphany or Three Kings Day. —Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2024

Around 74% of Syrians are Sunnis, like HTS, while 13% are Shiites and other Muslim denominations. —Alexander Smith, NBC News, 14 Dec. 2024

Before 1849, the largest denomination for a gold coin was the $10 eagle. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

The proceeds go to the local Santa’s Secret Service, which provides gifts to people of all denominations and is based at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Livermore. —Susan Young, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see denominate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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