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

Religious expression versus separation of church and state Of the three cases the justices heard about the First Amendment's protections for the right to practice religion, the biggest was the Catholic Church’s bid to run the nation’s first religious charter school. —Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 5 June 2025

Supporters of public education and the separation of church and state, on the other hand, quickly applauded the decision. —Abbie Vansickle, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Our diverse coalition of families and clergy remains united against Walters’s extremism and in favor of a core First Amendment principle: the separation of church and state. —Peter Greene, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025

The separation of church and state is a pillar of our democracy. —Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 24 May 2025

Rhymes for separation of church and state

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• 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