religion

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noun re·li·gion \ ri-ˈli-jən \

Definition of religion

1 a :the state of a religious

a nun in her 20th year of religion

b (1) :the service and worship of God or the supernatural

(2) :commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance

2 :a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

3 archaic :scrupulous conformity :conscientiousness

4 :a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

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religionless

adjective

See religion defined for English-language learners

See religion defined for kids

Examples of religion in a Sentence

Many people turn to religion for comfort in a time of crisis.
There are many religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.
Shinto is a religion that is unique to Japan.
Hockey is a religion in Canada.
Politics are a religion to him.
Where I live, high school football is religion.
Food is religion in this house.

Recent Examples of religion from the Web

Recent studies find that education, religion and group identity may increase future orientation.

— austin horng-en wang, Washington Post, "Happy National Toasted Marshmallow Day! This is what a marshmallow can tell us about politics.," 30 Aug. 2017
Qatar's human rights committee had previously filed a complaint with the U.N. special rapporteur on freedom of belief and religion over restrictions placed on its nationals who wanted to attend the hajj this year.

— Bloomberg.com, "Hajj Pilgrimage Entangled in Web of Saudi Politics," 29 Aug. 2017
The revival of Indian religion was crucial because Handsome Lake’s vision had revealed that Christianity was not intended for Indians.

— Longreads, "America’s First Addiction Epidemic," 29 Aug. 2017
Virginia’s prison system must recognize an offshoot of the Nation of Islam as a religion and allow inmates who are followers to congregate and possess its publications, a federal judge ruled Monday.

— alanna durkin richer, The Seattle Times, "Judge: Prisons must recognize offshoot of Nation of Islam," 28 Aug. 2017
Jones and Miller also traveled together to Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Bosnia and Italy to study religion in other cultures.

— greg garrison, AL.com, "Baptists honor rabbi," 27 Aug. 2017
As Silver puts it: Issues related to race, gender, sexuality, religion and social class have long been an animating force in American politics, of course.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump’s Anti-Anti-Racism Appeals to His Base’s White Racial Grievance," 25 Aug. 2017
The games features trade, historic monuments, religion, and most notably, war.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Get Ready for Farming and War in 'Age of Empires IV'," 22 Aug. 2017
This can be as simple as whether or not broccoli is a priority or can involve touchier subjects, like religion.

— Redbook, "Why "Stepmother" Shouldn't Be a Dirty Word," 16 Aug. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of religion

Middle English religioun, from Anglo-French religiun, Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back — more at rely

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

religion Synonyms

Synonyms

credo, creed, cult, faith, persuasion

Antonyms

atheism, godlessness

Related Words

church, communion, denomination, sect; doctrine, dogma, theology; deism, heathenism, monotheism, paganism, pantheism, polytheism, theism

Near Antonyms

agnosticism, know-nothingism; atheism, godlessness, nonbelief, secularism, unbelief

Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms

Zen, antinomian, avatar, gnosticism, illuminati, ineffable, karma, koan, mantra

RELIGION Defined for English Language Learners

religion

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noun

Definition of religion for English Language Learners

: the belief in a god or in a group of gods
: an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods
: an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group