Christianity

American  

[kris-chee-an-i-tee] / ˌkrɪs tʃiˈæn ɪ ti /

noun

plural

Christianities

1. the Christian religion, including the Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox churches.

2. Christian beliefs or practices; Christian quality or character.

   Christianity mixed with pagan elements; the Christianity of Augustine's thought.

3. a particular Christian religious system.

   She followed fundamentalist Christianity.

4. the state of being a Christian.

5. Christendom.

6. conformity to the Christian religion or to its beliefs or practices.

---

Christianity British  

/ ˌkrɪstɪˈænɪtɪ /

noun

1. the Christian religion

2. Christian beliefs, practices or attitudes

3. a less common word for Christendom

---

Christianity Cultural  

1. The religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians (see also Christian) believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, sent by God. They believe that Jesus, by dying and rising from the dead, made up for the sin of Adam and thus redeemed the world, allowing all who believe in him to enter heaven. Christians rely on the Bible (see also Bible) as the inspired word of God. (See also gospel, Nativity, Resurrection, salvation (see also salvation), and Sermon on the Mount.)

---

Etymology

Origin of Christianity

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English cristianite, from Latin chrīstiānitāt-, stem of chrīstiānitās; equivalent to Christian + -ity; replacing Middle English cristiente, from Middle French, from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

One North Korean commando, captured during a daring 1968 mission to assassinate the South Korean president in Seoul, recalls the confusion he felt when first encountering Christianity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

“They recognize their power is tenuous,” said Sarah Riccardi-Swartz, a religion professor at Northeastern University who has experience studying right-wing Orthodox Christianity.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

He moved beyond Christianity to a vague and uncertain spirituality.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Gospel music emerged from Afro-American culture in the 18th and 19th centuries - meaning it's rooted in the experiences of the conversion of enslaved African people to Christianity.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

He was not dismissing God altogether, nor was he dismissing Christianity.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman