monotheism

noun

mono·the·ism | \ ˈmä-nə-(ˌ)thē-ˌi-zəm

How to pronounce monotheism (audio)

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Definition of monotheism

: the doctrine or belief that there is but one God historically related forms of monotheism as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam— B. R. Barber

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Other Words from monotheism

monotheist \ ˈmä-nə-ˌthē-ist

\ noun

monotheistically \ ˌmä-nə-thē-ˈi-sti-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

Examples of monotheism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web After the meeting, Francis travelled to the desert plain of Ur in southern Iraq, revered as the birthplace of Abraham — the patriarch of monotheism and a unifying prophet in Islam, Christianity and Judaism. — NBC News, "Pope Francis holds historic meeting with Shiite cleric in Iraq, visits birthplace of Abraham," 6 Mar. 2021 Of these, all except Russia and India are countries where Islam (or at least monotheism, in Indonesia) is entrenched in the political system and followed by the great majority of people. — The Economist, "Daily chart Blasphemy laws are still common around the world," 14 Dec. 2020 Since then, Cannonier has connected with his ancestral roots in African spirituality based on laws of the universe as opposed to traditional monotheism or polytheism. — Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, "Glendale's Jared Cannonier explains how physical, spiritual evolution can win him middleweight title at UFC 254," 21 Oct. 2020 That's something that happens across all of Europe, across all of the world where monotheism displaces polytheism. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue," 21 Sep. 2020 Apart from monotheism – worshipping just one God – belief in the equality of all human beings in the eyes of God set early Muslims apart from many of their fellow Arabs in Mecca. — Asma Afsaruddin, The Conversation, "Islam’s anti-racist message from the 7th century still resonates today," 6 July 2020 In northern Pakistan, Islamic monotheism manages to coexist with a shamanistic appreciation of glaciers’ power. — Brendan Hoffman, National Geographic, "A water crisis looms for 270 million people as South Asia’s glaciers shrink," 16 June 2020 In this respect monotheism was not an innovation but a revival, a hardening. — Roberto Calasso, Harper's Magazine, "Becoming Human," 30 Mar. 2020 Those Jesuit scientist-adventurers reported to Rome that China was a brilliant civilisation whose traditions of ancestor worship and Confucian ethics were not pagan religious rites, but customs compatible with Christian monotheism. — The Economist, "Chaguan Communism is not what worries the world about China’s Communist Party," 18 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'monotheism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

12 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Monotheism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monotheism. Accessed 20 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for monotheism

monotheism

noun

English Language Learners Definition of monotheism

: the belief that there is only one God

See the full definition for monotheism in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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