Protestantism

[ prot-uh-stuhn-tiz-uhm ]

noun

1. the religion of Protestants.
2. the Protestant churches collectively.
3. adherence to Protestant principles.

Protestantism

/ ˈprɒtɪstənˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. the religion or religious system of any of the Churches of Western Christendom that are separated from the Roman Catholic Church and adhere substantially to principles established by Luther, Calvin, etc, in the Reformation
2. the Protestant Churches collectively
3. adherence to the principles of the Reformation

Other Words From

• an·ti-Prot·es·tant·ism noun
• pro-Prot·es·tant·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Protestantism¹

First recorded in 1640–50; Protestant + -ism

Example Sentences

Today, liberal Protestantism is on the wane, and optimistic postmillennialism along with it.

From The Daily Beast

Foremost among the currents that sustain it is religion: specifically, evangelical Protestantism.

From The Daily Beast

The decline of mainline Protestantism has also undermined this sort of prudent, empirically-minded Republicanism.

From The Daily Beast

Protestantism, after all, is the child of the modernity Santorum claims to despise.

From The Daily Beast

The continental powers were again united in a supreme effort to stamp out Protestantism, and England once more stood almost alone.

From Project Gutenberg

Other new words came from the breaking up of Protestantism into different sects.

From Project Gutenberg

Albert, religious to an eminent degree, was getting deep into Protestantism.

From Project Gutenberg

Italy too had its Protestants; but Italy killed them; managed to extinguish Protestantism.

From Project Gutenberg

The attack of Protestantism was supported by the full power and authority of the conqueror.

From Project Gutenberg