religion

noun

re·​li·​gion ri-ˈli-jən 

1

: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

2

a(1)

: the service and worship of God or the supernatural

(2)

: commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance

b

: the state of a religious

a nun in her 20th year of religion

3

: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

4

archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness

religionless

ri-ˈli-jən-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

• credo
• creed
• cult
• faith
• persuasion

Examples of religion in a Sentence

Many people turn to religion for comfort in a time of crisis.

There are many religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

Shinto is a religion that is unique to Japan.

Hockey is a religion in Canada.

Politics are a religion to him.

Where I live, high school football is religion.

Food is religion in this house.

Recent Examples on the Web

Few other reports offer as comprehensive a picture of American religion, with the next closest being the Public Religion Research Institute’s American Values Atlas. —Liam Adams, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025

By 1982, Marty was deemed one of the most influential figures in American religion, alongside evangelists Billy Graham and Jerry Falwell, in a poll published in The Christian Century that surveyed the editors of religious magazines. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025

But a secular critique might say, well, good riddance to religion, to obscurantism, to supernaturalism. —Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2025

Comparing the youngest and oldest groups in the poll, 51% of those born in the 1940s or earlier who, as children, attended religious services weekly and considered religion very important have the same degree of attachment to their religion now. —Jennifer Agiesta, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English religioun, from Anglo-French religiun, Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back — more at rely

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Phrases Containing religion

• anti-religion
• freedom of religion
• get religion
• organized religion

Rhymes for religion

• irreligion
• pigeon

Kids Definition

religion

noun

re·​li·​gion ri-ˈlij-ən 

1

a

: the service and worship of God or the supernatural

b

: belief in or devotion to religious faith or observance

c

: the state of a person in the religious life

a nun in her 20th year of religion

2

: a set or system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and ways of doing things

3

: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held with faith and strong feeling