Wicca

noun

Wic·​ca ˈwi-kə How to pronounce Wicca (audio)
: a religion influenced by pre-Christian beliefs and practices of western Europe that affirms the existence of supernatural power (such as magic) and of both male and female deities who inhere in nature and that emphasizes ritual observance of seasonal and life cycles
Wiccan adjective or noun

Examples of Wicca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Process of commercialization Commercialization started in the 1980s with the sale of how-to books on Wicca. Helen A. Berger, The Conversation, 26 July 2023 The numbers of Americans who identify with Wicca or paganism has risen from 134,000 in 2001 to nearly 2 million, Helen Berger, a resident scholar at Brandeis University's Women's Studies Research Center, told the USA TODAY Network at the time. Francisco Guzman, USA TODAY, 30 May 2023 Many neo-pagans, which are modern-day practitioners of various pagan religions including Druidism and Wicca, still celebrate Samhain. Jessica Coulon, Popular Mechanics, 31 Oct. 2022 Neopaganism’s various branches include Wicca and Hellenic reconstructionism, a religion that focuses on the gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece. Alyssa Beall, USA TODAY, 13 May 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

probably from Old English wicca wizard — more at witch

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Wicca was in 1959

Dictionary Entries Near Wicca

Cite this Entry

“Wicca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Wicca. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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