denomination

noun

de·​nom·​i·​na·​tion di-ˌnä-mə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: an act of denominating

the denomination of prices in U.S. dollars

2

: a value or size of a series of values or sizes

metric denominations

especially : the value of a particular coin or bill

bills in $20 and $50 denominations

3

: name, designation

especially : a general name for a category

listed under the general denomination of gifts

4

: a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices

people from several different Christian denominations

denominational

di-ˌnä-mə-ˈnā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

denominationally adverb

Synonyms

• appellation
• appellative
• cognomen
• compellation
• denotation
• designation
• handle
• moniker
• monicker
• name
• nomenclature
• title

Examples of denomination in a Sentence

People from several different religious denominations participated in the event.

Methodists, Baptists, and other Christian denominations.

It's one of the more conservative denominations.

The kidnappers asked for bills in small denominations.

The gift certificates are available in $5 and $10 denominations.

She spoke with people of many different political denominations.

Recent Examples on the Web

The controversy complicates the already-choppy efforts by the mostly White denomination to diversify and overcome its legacy of slavery and segregation. —CBS News, 6 June 2024

Yet, in this small area, people of different faiths–Muslims, Druze, Christians of Catholic, Orthodox Greek, Syrian, and Coptic denominations–have coexisted for centuries. —Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 May 2024

Nearly all were brought up in a Christian denomination. —Philip Bump, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023

Their support stems from the belief by some denominations that the end times prophecy will take place in Israel, which is the rightful land for Jews, according to their interpretation of the Bible. —Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 29 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

see denominate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

denomination

noun

de·​nom·​i·​na·​tion di-ˌnäm-ə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: an act of denominating

2

: one of a series of related values each having a special name

a $5 bill represents one denomination of U.S. money

3

: name entry 1 sense 1, designation

especially : a general name for a class of things

4

: a religious body made up of a number of congregations with similar beliefs

denominational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective