freedom of religion

noun phrase

: the right to choose what religion to follow and to worship without interference

Examples of freedom of religion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025

The First Amendment, guaranteeing free speech and freedom of religion, might disappear. —Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2025

In his 1941 state of the union address, Franklin Roosevelt spoke of four freedoms: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom from want and freedom from fear. —Primary Care Physicians, Hartford Courant, 6 Apr. 2025

You can be legally married but refused entry to your spouse’s hospital room because of freedom of religion. —Taylor Grothe, Parents, 2 Apr. 2025

Rhymes for freedom of religion

• irreligion
• pigeon

Legal Definition

freedom of religion

freedom of re·​li·​gion

: the right especially as guaranteed under the free exercise clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to practice one's religion or exercise one's beliefs without intervention by the government and to be free of the exercise of authority by a church through the government see also free exercise clause

Note: The freedom of religion as guaranteed by the First Amendment can be overcome by a showing by the government of a compelling state interest. On this basis, practices used in some religions, such as bigamy, are prohibited despite the First Amendment guarantee.