religion

noun

re·​li·​gion ri-ˈli-jən 

1

: an organized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

a study of world religions including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism

practices that are against my religion

monotheistic religions

freedom of religion

also : the religious beliefs, observances, and social practices found within a given cultural context

… currents in popular religion that are only dimly reflected in the canon of sanctioned Christian works …

—Cullen Murphy

2

: commitment or devotion to a god or gods, a system of beliefs, or religious observance : the service and worship of a god, of multiple gods, or of the supernatural

his recent turn to religion

taking comfort in religion

3

: an interest, cause, belief, or activity that is intensely or passionately held to

Hockey is a religion in Canada.

… socialism became her religion, linking her to a community …

—Lara Vapnek

4

: the state of being a member of a religious order

a nun in her 20th year of religion

5

archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness

religionless

ri-ˈli-jən-ləs 

adjective

see also find religion

Synonyms of religion

• cult
• persuasion
• creed
• sect

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

Like other Christian missionaries in the Western Hemisphere, Franciscans of the day argued that Indigenous peoples needed to abandon their traditional religions as part of the process of conversion. —Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2026

There is no mention of the religion of any of the other candidates. —Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026

And, of course, there is her performance as the eponymous leader in Mona Fastvold’s sweeping musical biopic about the 18th-century founder of the Shaker religion, The Testament of Ann Lee. —Claire Messud, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026

Many Pacific Northwest tribes have subsisted on the fish for millennia and have woven them into their religions and languages. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026

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 4

Phrases Containing religion

• anti-religion
• find religion
• freedom of 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