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

• 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

Abuse survivors have also sued the SBC and cited Guidepost’s report to hold the national denomination’s leadership responsible for abuse that occurred an individual, autonomous Southern Baptist church. —Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025

Because Grace Lutheran receives its tax-exempt status through the ELCA as a group, the entire denomination's tax-exempt status could be at risk if the Trump administration went after Grace Lutheran. —Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Because of these risks, some Christian denominations resist making political endorsements regardless of what the government allows. —Esau McCaulley, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025

There are a variety of approaches to intermarriage across Jewish denominations. —Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 7 July 2025

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