worship

1 of 3

verb

wor·​ship ˈwər-shəp 

also ˈwȯr-

worshipped also worshiped; worshipping also worshiping

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

worshipper noun

or less commonly worshiper

worship

2 of 3

noun (1)

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)

worshipper

3 of 3

noun (2)

wor·​ship·​per

variants or worshiper

-pə(r)

plural worshippers or worshipers

: one who worships

sun worshippers

Their glorious tones promised … to inspire worshippers with a reverential sense of awe …

—Jonathan D. Sarna, American Judaism, 2004

… finally takes wistful leave of her fellow worshipers, departing not as an unbeliever but as a spiritual pilgrim.

—Richard Alleva, Commonweal, 4 Nov. 2011

Synonyms of worship

Verb

• venerate
• reverence
• revere

Noun (1)

• adoration
• worshipping
• idolatry
• deification

Choose the Right Synonym for worship

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 (1)

worship of gods and goddesses

Worship services are held daily.

the media's worship of celebrities

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Few foods occupy a space as unique as instant noodles, simultaneously worshipped as a junk food treat and a reliable staple for millions of people around the world. — Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 16 June 2026

Mother African Union Church was founded decades before Juneteenth, born out of racist policies and structures that excluded people of African descent from worshipping freely. — Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 15 June 2026

Noun

This is an agiary, a Zoroastrian place of worship for India’s Parsi community, where priests in white robes stoke a sacred flame around the clock and recite ancient Avestan prayers that have survived three millennia. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

For generations, churches have served not only as houses of worship, but as gathering places where questions of justice, voting rights and public leadership are debated. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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 (1)

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

Noun (2)

Middle English worschiper, from worschipen to worship + -er

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing worship

• ancestor worship
• hero worship
• house of God/worship
• house of worship/God
• place/house of worship
• self-worship
• worship at the altar of
• worship the ground someone walks on

Rhymes for worship

• connoisseurship
• entrepreneurship

Kids Definition

worship

1 of 2 noun

wor·​ship ˈwər-shəp 

1

chiefly British : an important person

—used as a title for some officials

2

a

: great respect toward a divine being or supernatural power

b

: the outward showing of such respect

3

: too great admiration or devotion

worship of money

worship

2 of 2 verb

worshipped also worshiped; worshipping also worshiping

1

: to honor or respect as a divine being or supernatural power

2

: to treat with too great respect, honor, or devotion : idolize

worshipped popular singers

3

: to perform or take part in worship

worshipper noun

or worshiper

Etymology

Noun

Middle English worshipe "worthiness, respect, reverence paid to a divine being," from Old English weorthscipe "worthiness, respect," from weorth "worth, worthy" and -scipe "-ship (quality, condition)"