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 fund will be dedicated to empowering leaders through the college and supporting its programs on theology and social justice. —Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Mojtaba Khamenei currently teaches theology at a religious seminary in Qom and is closely aligned with his father’s hardline views, Reuters reported, citing sources. —Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025

Smotrich, 45, is a second-generation settler, schooled in religious institutions faithful to Kook’s political theology. —Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025

And that became not just a mythology, but almost a theology. —Scott Detrow, NPR, 19 May 2025

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

• anthology
• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology

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