Catholicism

noun

Ca·​thol·​i·​cism kə-ˈthä-lə-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce Catholicism (audio)
1
2
: the faith, practice, or system of Catholic Christianity

Examples of Catholicism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The influence of Catholicism has also contributed to customs and a legal system that can make women more vulnerable. Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024 Mariko has converted to Catholicism, and at times is uncomfortable hearing the Protestant Blackthorne curse out the representatives of her faith. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2024 Those whom Adelson couldn’t reach with Catholicism, Pastor Leudo could bring to God through evangelicalism. Bishop Sand, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2024 In the Catholicism of my youth, a woman’s only role was to birth and raise more Catholics. Clare Egan, Longreads, 13 Feb. 2024 While Mardi Gras is celebrated in areas where Catholicism is widely practiced, some theories say the holiday's roots may tie into pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, like Saturnalia and Lupercalia, according to history.com. Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 13 Feb. 2024 Mardi Gras is French for ‘Fat Tuesday’ and closes out the Carnival season the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent in Catholicism. Cierra Chenier, Essence, 12 Feb. 2024 In Catholicism, Carnival precedes a 40-day period of fasting known as Lent. Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 As the only place to reach such a massive audience live, several ideologies — including Catholicism, with pitchman Mark Wahlberg, and Scientology — put their $7 million for 30 seconds on the line. Barbara Lippert, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Catholicism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Catholicism was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near Catholicism

Cite this Entry

“Catholicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Catholicism. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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