Trivia Time

What often distinguishes religion from philosophy?

Test Your Knowledge

religion

American  

[ri-lij-uhn] / rɪˈlɪdʒ ən /

noun

• religions
  plural

1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects.

   the Christian religion;

   the Buddhist religion.

3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices.

   a world council of religions.

4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc..

   to enter religion.

5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience.

   to make a religion of fighting prejudice.

7. Archaic. religions, religious rites.

   painted priests performing religions deep into the night.

8. Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion.

   a religion to one's vow.

---

idioms

1. get religion,

   1. to acquire a deep conviction of the validity of religious beliefs and practices.

   2. to resolve to mend one's errant ways.

      The company got religion and stopped making dangerous products.

religion British  

/ rɪˈlɪdʒən /

noun

1. belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny

2. any formal or institutionalized expression of such belief

   the Christian religion

3. the attitude and feeling of one who believes in a transcendent controlling power or powers

4. RC Church the way of life determined by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience entered upon by monks, friars, and nuns

   to enter religion

5. something of overwhelming importance to a person

   football is his religion

6. archaic

   1. the practice of sacred ritual observances

   2. sacred rites and ceremonies

---

religion More Idioms  

1. see get religion.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonreligion
  noun
• subreligion
  noun
• antireligion
  adjective
• religionless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• religions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of religion

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English religioun, from Old French religion or directly from Latin religiōn- (stem of religiō “conscientiousness, piety,” equivalent to relig(āre) “to tie, fasten” ( re- re- + ligāre “to bind, tie”; cf. ligament) + -iōn- -ion; cf. rely

Explanation

Religion has two related meanings: it’s the belief that one or more divine beings are responsible for the fate of all human life, and it’s also an organization where people of a specific religion can express their beliefs. Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam: these are examples of religions, and millions around the world follow the principles defined by their chosen faith. The Latin root religio means “to bind,” and religion binds people together not just by their practices, but also by their ideas. Most religions have their own story about the creation of the universe, and each has a different explanation for the meaning of life, which is a source of comfort for a religion’s followers.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

religion religions

For someone who grew up in China, where religion is tightly managed by the state, the effect is quietly disorienting.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

About half as many — roughly 11% — said being Jewish is mainly about religion.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026

In 2016, the king made headlines again by giving an impassioned speech , externalsupporting diversity of religion, ethnicity and sexual orientation.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

The moment hits at the tenuous relationship between religion and queerness, one that often goes unexplored in mainstream queer media.

From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2026

Blake was not a particularly religious man, though going to church did make him nostalgic for his Protestant upbringing in Holland before World War II. Now, however, his interest in religion was mostly strategic.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Park explains: "Breathing techniques have accompanied humanity for millennia across various religions and cultures. With this study, we provide scientific proof that it is a reliable and targeted method capable of controlling our decisions."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 4, 2026

Those numbers compare to the percentage of Christians in the Roman Empire when the Emperor Constantine ended Rome’s persecution of the new faith and offered freedom to all religions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

Brian Somers, an assistant professor of Buddhist studies at Seoul's Dongguk University, said religions have always adapted as younger followers replace older ones.

From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026

“It has been said that the arts, the religions and the sciences are all branches of the same tree. And I very much live by that,” says Neven.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026

While nomads and tribespeople occasionally defeat organized governments and religions, the trend over the past 13,000 years has been for the nomads and tribespeople to lose.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• church
• creed
• cult
• denomination
• doctrine
• morality
• myth
• mythology
• prayer
• ritual
• sect
• spirituality
• superstition
• theology