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.

catechismal

ˌka-tə-ˈkiz-məl 

adjective

catechistic

ˌka-tə-ˈki-stik 

adjective

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

Generations of cinephiles promoted a version of Agee’s catechism, consecrating Griffith as film’s supreme technical and aesthetic innovator, an almost Promethean figure. — Vivian Yee, New York Times, 20 June 2026

In the 1970s, in a devoutly Catholic Spain still ruled by dictator Francisco Franco, Paula Alonso-Pimentel was sent for catechism at age 8 to a religious school in the northern city of Valladolid. — ABC News, 4 June 2026

The man rattles off contract terms as a priest recalls the catechism. — Charlie Lee, The New York Review of Books, 9 May 2026

Cabrini arrived in New York City in 1889, and organized catechism and education for Italian immigrants while providing for the needs of numerous orphans, according to her missionary order. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see catechesis

First Known Use

1502, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for catechism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism

Kids 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