theology

noun

the·​ol·​o·​gy thē-ˈä-lə-jē 

plural theologies

1

: the study of religious faith, practice, and experience

especially : the study of God and of God's relation to the world

2

a

: a theological theory or system

Thomist theology

a theology of atonement

b

: a distinctive body of theological opinion

Catholic theology

3

: a usually 4-year course of specialized religious training in a Roman Catholic major seminary

Examples of theology in a Sentence

He has an interest in theology and pastoral work.

The bishop was opposed to the group's theology.

Recent Examples on the Web

The eighteenth-century Italian mathematician Maria Agnesi, who wrote an early textbook on calculus, gave away most of her money and abandoned mathematics to devote herself fully to theology. — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026

Dozens of bone chapels sprang up across Europe by the 17th century, in a confluence of theology and aesthetics that seems morbidly inevitable. — Kristin Idaszak, Longreads, 22 Oct. 2026

Leo’s handling of his cancer is in many ways textbook American-style corporate good governance, applied to the Catholic Church, said Julie Rubio, a professor of Christian social ethics at the Jesuit school of theology at Santa Clara University. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Magic needs no congregation, clergy or theology, so believers can adopt it without leaving their church. — Ruiqian Li, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English theologie, from Anglo-French, from Latin theologia, from Greek, from the- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing theology

• dogmatic theology
• liberation theology
• natural theology
• practical theology
• systematic theology

Rhymes for theology

• ology
• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology

Kids Definition

theology

noun

the·​ol·​o·​gy thē-ˈäl-ə-jē 

plural theologies

1

: the study of religion

2

: a set of religious beliefs

theologian

ˌthē-ə-ˈlō-jən

noun

theological

-ˈläj-i-kəl

adjective