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-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

denominationally adverb

Synonyms of denomination

• name
• moniker
• nomenclature
• title
• designation
• appellation

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 Global Methodist Church, a conservative group, split from the denomination in 2022. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026

The objects span denominations, offering insight into how their ownership, value and spiritual significance can shift over time. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026

Nearly everyone there was Black; all the churches in the day’s lineup were Missionary Baptist, a historically Black denomination. — Emma Green, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026

Then there are Pentecostal groups like the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God and The Assembly of God, Brazil’s largest non-Catholic denomination. — John Thomas Iii, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see denominate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for denomination

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

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