Catholicism

noun

Ca·thol·i·cism kə-ˈthä-lə-ˌsi-zəm

1

: roman catholicism

2

: the faith, practice, or system of Catholic Christianity

Word History

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of Catholicism was in 1587

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Browse Nearby Words

Catholic frog

Catholicism

catholicity

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Catholicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Catholicism. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 4 Nov 2025 - Definition revised

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