polytheism

1 of 2

noun (1)

poly·​the·​ism ˈpä-lē-(ˌ)thē-ˌi-zəm 

: belief in or worship of more than one god

polytheist

ˈpä-lē-ˌthē-ist 

adjective or noun

polytheist

2 of 2

noun (2)

poly·​the·​ist

-ˌthēə̇st

: one who believes in or worships a plurality of gods

Examples of polytheism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Although Americans are rarely asked to weigh in on polytheism, surveys consistently show that not believing in God is among the biggest political liabilities—more electorally costly than being gay, Black, Jewish, Muslim, or female. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026

The opera ends with Akhnaten’s son, presumably Tutankhamun, restoring polytheism, and then, once the staging jumps millennia into the future, it’s rediscovered by modern-day tourists. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026

Nefertiti was the principal wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, the ruler who upended Egypt's religious customs away from polytheism and toward Atenism. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Western antiquity Christianity was shaped by its roots in Judaism, but also its rejection of Greco-Roman religious culture, especially its polytheism. — Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 20 Jan. 2026

The Pope's polytheism places him among the people of Hell. — Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025

Both discoveries date to the period when the Roman Empire was transitioning from polytheism to Christianity. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French polytheisme, from Late Greek polytheos polytheistic, from Greek, of many gods, from poly- + theos god

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1613, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

polytheism

noun

poly·​the·​ism ˈpäl-i-(ˌ)thē-ˌiz-əm 

: belief in or worship of more than one god

polytheist

-ˌthē-əst 

adjective or noun

polytheistic

ˌpäl-i-thē-ˈis-tik 

adjective