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

In time, the bets became more frequent and of higher denominations, amounting to thousands of wagers. —Tony Saavedra, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024

The White House is fine offending, even targeting Catholics, Christians of all denominations. —Fox News, 2 Apr. 2024

Traditions and religious rituals for Easter vary among denominations and across the globe, but many Christians observe the holiday through church services and prayer. —USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024

The end date for lent varies by faith denomination. —Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Mar. 2024

George Washington appeared on the 10-cent denomination. —Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2024

The results are based on a survey in the fall of 2023 of about 1,700 Christian clergy members from more than 40 denominations, including Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox bodies. —Peter Smith, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2024

Stanley was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1985 and left an indelible mark on the denomination's character. —Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2023

Gone are the days when the Catholic Church held a monopoly over Latin American and Latino souls: for decades now, the region has been shifting toward other Christian denominations, particularly Pentecostal, evangelical, and Protestant. —Graciela Mochkofsky, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 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