belief

noun

be·​lief bə-ˈlēf 

1

: a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing

her belief in God

a belief in democracy

I bought the table in the belief that it was an antique.

contrary to popular belief

2

: something that is accepted, considered to be true, or held as an opinion : something believed

an individual's religious or political beliefs

especially : a tenet or body of tenets held by a group

the beliefs of the Catholic Church

3

: conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of evidence

belief in the validity of scientific statements

Synonyms of belief

• credit
• faith
• axiom
• certainty
• assurance
• conviction

Choose the Right Synonym for belief

belief, faith, credence, credit mean assent to the truth of something offered for acceptance.

belief may or may not imply certitude in the believer.

my belief that I had caught all the errors

faith almost always implies certitude even where there is no evidence or proof.

an unshakable faith in God

credence suggests intellectual assent without implying anything about grounds for assent.

a theory now given credence by scientists

credit may imply assent on grounds other than direct proof.

gave full credit to the statement of a reputable witness

synonyms see in addition opinion

Examples of belief in a Sentence

There is growing belief that these policies will not succeed.

He gets angry if anyone challenges his religious beliefs.

We challenged his beliefs about religion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ja Rule recently opened up about one of Hip-Hop’s most infamous feuds, expressing his belief that the heated rivalry between himself and 50 Cent during the late ’90s and early ’00s created a divide that ultimately negatively impacted the New York Hip-Hop scene. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Nov. 2025

Advertisement All of this Mormon pop culture has helped to create an impression of a religion comparable to, say, Catholicism, with adherents ranging from orthodox to casual and a history of covering up abuse that has stained its establishment without fundamentally discrediting its belief system. —Judy Berman, Time, 12 Nov. 2025

Big box retailers have increasingly been drawn into the nation's culture wars as shoppers of all political persuasions wield their wallets to make their beliefs known at the cash register and on social media. —Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

In interviews after chapel ended, students recited core tenets of United Methodist belief. —Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English beleave, probably alteration of Old English gelēafa, from ge-, associative prefix + lēafa; akin to Old English lȳfan — more at believe

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing belief

• a growing belief that
• beggar belief
• be secure in the belief/knowledge
• beyond belief
• contrary to popular belief
• defy belief
• in the belief that
• in the mistaken/erroneous belief that
• make-belief
• to the best of one's belief
• worthy of belief

Rhymes for belief

• broadleaf
• debrief
• flyleaf
• khalif
• kharif
• longleaf
• massif
• motif
• relief
• saif
• serif
• beef

Kids Definition

belief

noun

be·​lief bə-ˈlēf 

1

: a feeling sure that someone or something exists or is true or trustworthy

a belief in Santa Claus

a belief in democracy

2

: something that one thinks is true

political beliefs

Legal Definition

belief

noun

be·​lief

: a degree of conviction of the truth of something especially based on a consideration or examination of the evidence compare knowledge, suspicion