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

• cult
• persuasion
• creed
• sect

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

Right now - from religion to climate change to doomsday prepping - there's a lot of talk about the end of the world. —Brittany Luse, NPR, 26 Sep. 2025

Alejandro and his band embrace bomba even more here, dedicating the album’s opener to the genre and leaning into its Afro-Puerto Rican origins and ties to African religions. —Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025

Religious rights were reworded by the United Nations in a similar way in the 1960s as a right to choose a religion. —Sophia Rosenfeld september 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025

Filipino American adults are mainly Christian at 74%, including a large share being Catholic, while 23% report having no religion, per the Pew Research Center. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 26 Sep. 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