polytheism

noun

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

Examples of polytheism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Religious history Fascinating finds related to religious history tell a story of diverse belief systems from the polytheism of the ancient Greeks and Romans to Buddhism and Christianity. —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024

Also, Akhenaten’s successor tried to steer religion back to polytheism, which is contrary to Nefertiti’s earlier views. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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