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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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“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

Jin came to Christianity in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Then, shortly after the pandemic, he became more interested in Christianity.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

Early samurai patronage of theater, painting and tea ceremonies, as well as their religious support of Buddhism, Shinto and even Christianity, are all on display.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

Although many commoners converted to Christianity, they held on to many aspects of their pre-Christian life.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz