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.
Unlike every other country that has a death-penalty blasphemy law, Nigeria’s constitution states that no federal or state government may establish an official religion. Sean Nelson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 Religiousness was measured by responses to questions about the importance of religion, religious attendance, frequency of prayer and belief in God. Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025 Sophie Carson is a general assignment reporter who reports on religion and faith, immigrants and refugees and more. Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025 Even the comedy festival had purported speech restrictions, with comedian Atsuko Okatsuka posting a list of deal terms for appearing at the event which included forbidding any criticism of religion or the Saudi royals. James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 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 6 Oct. 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

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