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

His religious beliefs provided succour after the disappointment of being ruled out of the World Cup, where Brazil were eliminated at the round of 16 by Norway. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

The collection The Lucas Museum describes narrative art broadly as visual art that tells stories or communicates the beliefs, values, and myths through which people understand themselves and their societies. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026

Imagine if more young Americans spent a year working alongside people from different races, religions, regions, economic backgrounds, and political beliefs. — Steven Fulop, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026

As the revenge killings mount, the mission begins to eat away at him — and Avner’s belief in closure is shaken. — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

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