separation of church and state

noun phrase

: the act or state of keeping government and religion separate from each other

Examples of separation of church and state in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In their Supreme Court brief, the families' attorneys argue that the law violates basic First Amendment principles governing the separation of church and state. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

The justices have already agreed to hear a case testing a different landmark decision about religious rights and the separation of church and state. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

The case could set up a landmark clash over the separation of church and state. — Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2026

Liberals, from Thomas Jefferson to Aristide Briand, championed the separation of church and state. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for separation of church and state

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Legal Definition

separation of church and state

: the separation of religion and government mandated under the establishment clause and the free exercise clause of the U.S. Constitution that forbids governmental establishment or preference of a religion and that preserves religious freedom from governmental intrusion