worship

verb

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wor·ship | \ ˈwər-shəp

also ˈwȯr- \

worshipped also worshiped; worshipping also worshiping

Definition of worship

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to honor or show reverence for as a divine being or supernatural power

2 : to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion a celebrity worshipped by her fans

intransitive verb

: to perform or take part in worship or an act of worship

worship

noun

Definition of worship (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power also : an act of expressing such reverence

2 : a form of religious practice with its creed and ritual

3 : extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem worship of the dollar

4 chiefly British : a person of importance —used as a title for various officials (such as magistrates and some mayors)

Other Words from worship Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about worship

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Choose the Right Synonym for worship

Verb

revere, reverence, venerate, worship, adore mean to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully. revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling. a professor revered by her students reverence presupposes an intrinsic merit and inviolability in the one honored and a similar depth of feeling in the one honoring. reverenced the academy's code of honor venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age. heroes still venerated worship implies homage usually expressed in words or ceremony. worships their memory adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment. we adored our doctor

Examples of worship in a Sentence

Verb Many ancient cultures worshipped the sun and moon. They worship at this temple. I worship God in my own way. Noun worship of gods and goddesses Worship services are held daily. the media's worship of celebrities

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb One of the most prominent, QAnon, holds that leading Democrats engage in Satan worship and in child-trafficking rings. — Sheelah Kolhatkar, The New Yorker, "A Tycoon’s Deep-State Conspiracy Dive," 7 Dec. 2020 The Wyandottes would worship and study at that church for decades before the US government forced them to leave their homes and move west. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN, "Indigenous people across the US want their land back -- and the movement is gaining momentum," 25 Nov. 2020 During her time in prison, Logan served as a suicide watch companion, a nursing assistant for fellow prisoners in hospice care, and a leader of the praise and worship team. — chicagotribune.com, "Trump grants clemency to former Gary boxer Charles Tanner imprisoned for drug crimes," 22 Oct. 2020 The county Department of Public Health also issued a plea Thursday for people of faith to forgo gathering indoors to worship any winter holidays, and instead attend remotely streamed or outdoor services. — Anchorage Daily News, "LA County hospitals running dangerously low on oxygen, supplies as ER units are overwhelmed," 26 Dec. 2020 The county Department of Public Health also issued a plea Thursday for people of faith to forgo gathering indoors to worship any winter holidays, and instead attend remotely streamed or outdoor services. — Los Angeles Times, "L.A. County hospitals running dangerously low on oxygen, supplies as ER units are overwhelmed," 25 Dec. 2020 Biblical verses tell of three kings come to worship the baby born in Bethlehem after seeing a star in the East. — Richard Tribou, orlandosentinel.com, "Like the Star of Bethlehem: Jupiter and Saturn to get cozy in night sky," 18 Dec. 2020 Under a hot sun, several women in face shields and gloves sang worship songs as Marcellus fanned his mother with a funeral program. — Lizzie Presser, ProPublica, "For years, JaMarcus Crews tried to get a new kidney, but corporate healthcare stood in the way.," 15 Dec. 2020 Hero worship in San Jose has led many to believe Wondolowski’s dedication to the Earthquakes trumps all. — Nick Eilerson, SFChronicle.com, "Will Chris Wondolowski leave San Jose Earthquakes in 2021? Three key factors," 12 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The new restrictions apply to restaurants, casinos, office spaces, houses of worship, retail businesses, libraries and many other kinds of businesses and public spaces. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, "Sandhill cranes, black-footed ferrets, Washington crossing the Delaware: News from around our 50 states," 28 Dec. 2020 Places of worship, weddings and funerals allowed under the governor's executive orders are not affected by the order. — Vivian Jones, Washington Examiner, "Tennessee’s largest county implements safer-at-home order," 22 Dec. 2020 Places of worship, weddings and funerals, however, are exempt. — Bradford Betz, Fox News, "Tenn. governor enacts COVID restrictions on social gatherings, forgoes mask mandate," 21 Dec. 2020 Religious services became a point of contention as county officials issued lockdown orders and some places of worship have opened in defiance. — Fox News, "L.A. County health officials: Don’t attend indoor church services no matter what judge says," 25 Dec. 2020 The county’s decision came on the heels of court rulings brought by other houses of worship that said COVID-19 restrictions violated religious freedoms. — Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, "Pasadena church loses court case but celebrates victory on looser COVID-19 restrictions," 24 Dec. 2020 Although they were made out to the place of worship, they had not been cashed by anyone representing the institution in question, as the investigation continues, police said. — Thomas Jewell, cleveland, "Roaming thief wanders northwest end of town, winds up in Cashmere: Pepper Pike Police Blotter," 24 Dec. 2020 Many houses of worship in Los Angeles County will be holding indoor services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day after public health officials eased pandemic restrictions last weekend, CBS Los Angeles reports. — CBS News, "Some Southern California churches set to hold indoor services for the holidays," 24 Dec. 2020 Places of worship will remain at a maximum of 75 percent of their capacity or the number of people who can physically distance with at least six feet between each immediate household. — David Jacobs, Washington Examiner, "Louisiana Gov. Edwards keeps state in 'Phase 2' of COVID-19 fight," 23 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'worship.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for worship

Verb

Middle English worþschipen, worschepen, worshippen "to hold in honor, esteem, show respect for, revere (a deity), conduct religious rites," derivative of wurðscip, worschip "honor, esteem, religious faith, rank, value" — more at worship entry 2

Noun

Middle English wurðscip, worschip "honor, esteem, renown, veneration, religious faith, a person's social standing, rank, value," going back to Old English weorþscipe, wurþscipe "honor, esteem, veneration, dignity," from weorþ, wyrþ, as noun "value" and as adjective "valuable, having status, deserving" + -scipe -ship — more at worth entry 1, worth entry 3

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Dictionary Entries near worship

worship at the altar of

worshipful

Statistics for worship

Last Updated

14 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Worship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worship. Accessed 24 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for worship

worship

verb

English Language Learners Definition of worship

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to honor or respect (someone or something) as a god

: to show respect and love for God or for a god especially by praying, having religious services, etc.

: to love or honor (someone or something) very much or too much

worship

noun

English Language Learners Definition of worship (Entry 2 of 2)

: the act of showing respect and love for a god especially by praying with other people who believe in the same god : the act of worshipping God or a god

: excessive admiration for someone

British —used as a title when addressing or referring to certain officials (such as mayors and magistrates) —used with his, her, your, or their

See the full definition for worship in the English Language Learners Dictionary

worship

noun

wor·ship | \ ˈwər-shəp