religion

noun

re·​li·​gion ri-ˈli-jən 

1

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

2

a(1)

: the service and worship of God or the supernatural

(2)

: commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance

b

: the state of a religious

a nun in her 20th year of religion

3

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

4

archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness

religionless

ri-ˈli-jən-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

• credo
• creed
• cult
• faith
• persuasion

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 on the Web

Prior to joining Fox News, Alexandra covered breaking news, crime, religion, and the military in the southeast. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2025

By targeting people based on their race, religion, or nationality, from countries with predominantly Black, Brown and Muslim-majority populations, this blanket ban constitutes racial discrimination under international human rights law. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025

But the mingling of religion and politics dates back to the Civil War. —Lisa Fletcher, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2025

Homer gives up religion only to realize that his faith is important to him. —Alan Siegel, The Atlantic, 11 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Phrases Containing religion

• anti-religion
• freedom of religion
• get religion
• organized religion

Rhymes for religion

• irreligion
• pigeon

Kids Definition

religion

noun

re·​li·​gion ri-ˈlij-ən 

1

a

: the service and worship of God or the supernatural

b

: belief in or devotion to religious faith or observance

c

: the state of a person in the religious life

a nun in her 20th year of religion

2

: a set or system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and ways of doing things

3

: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held with faith and strong feeling