religion

noun

re·​li·​gion ri-ˈli-jən How to pronounce religion (audio)
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 adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kingsley said this is the million dollar question about religion. Miami Herald, 10 July 2025 The Revolution set the stage for a new nation based not on ethnicity or geography or religion, but on striving for democratic principles. Time, 10 July 2025 Spectators swarmed in from around the country to see the legendary lawyers battle over creationism, evolution and the role of religion in government. Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 10 July 2025 Societal factors, the researchers claim, especially those tied to religion, politics and war, also leave lasting marks on the evolutionary paths of the animals and plants that share our cities. Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for religion

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of religion was in the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Religion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

religion

noun
re·​li·​gion ri-ˈlij-ən How to pronounce religion (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on religion

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