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

That’s because these tax exemptions are provided only to organizations that are organized and operated primarily for charitable purposes, such as education, religion or scientific research. —Philip Hackney, The Conversation, 9 May 2025

The election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American to hold the papacy, has added a new dynamic to the intersection of religion and politics in the United States. —Kate Nalepinski, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025

Lifted from February’s People Watching LP, the track itself sees Fender dive deep into his relationship with religion, depicting the emotional complexities of growing up in the Christian faith. —Thomas Smith, Billboard, 8 May 2025

Cardinals are now choosing who will hold the keys — and their power — next. Credit...Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times Listen to this article · 8:29 min Learn more By Elizabeth Dias Elizabeth Dias, The Times’s national religion correspondent, reported from Rome. —Elizabeth Dias, New York Times, 8 May 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