catechism
noun
cat·e·chism
ˈka-tə-ˌki-zəm 
1
: oral instruction
2
: a manual for catechizing (see catechize sense 1)
specifically
: a summary of religious doctrine often in the form of questions and answers
3
a
: a set of formal questions put as a test
b
: something resembling a catechism especially in being a rote response or formulaic statement
The cook often consulted the latest nutritional catechism for advice.
Examples of catechism in a Sentence
They went to school to learn their catechism.
He taught catechism at Sunday school.
Recent Examples on the Web
Their creed was a secular catechism, often expressed in the form of a question-and-answer text:
What is in your hand?
—
Joseph Patrick Kelly, The Conversation, 20 May 2025
For decades universities have taken it as catechism to spend their year-to-year earnings at a rate of no more than 5 percent of the total endowment (often less).
—Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Alongside that, President Donald Trump has made a bold effort to topple the rule of left-wing ideologues and the woke catechism of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) over American education, which tolerated and encouraged the surge of antisemitism since Oct. 7, 2023.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
The funny play, which was first performed 31 years ago, is a mix of catechism class and stand-up comedy, set in a 1950s or 1960s Catholic school.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catechism
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Joseph Patrick Kelly, The Conversation, 20 May 2025
For decades universities have taken it as catechism to spend their year-to-year earnings at a rate of no more than 5 percent of the total endowment (often less).
—Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Alongside that, President Donald Trump has made a bold effort to topple the rule of left-wing ideologues and the woke catechism of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) over American education, which tolerated and encouraged the surge of antisemitism since Oct. 7, 2023.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
The funny play, which was first performed 31 years ago, is a mix of catechism class and stand-up comedy, set in a 1950s or 1960s Catholic school.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catechism
Cite this Entry
“Catechism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catechism. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
catechism
noun
cat·e·chism
ˈkat-ə-ˌkiz-əm
1
: a summary of religious doctrine in the form of questions and answers
2
: a set of questions requiring memorized answers put as a test
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share