religion

[ ri-lij-uhn ]

See synonyms for religion on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.
a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion;the Buddhist religion.

the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
religions, Archaic. religious rites: painted priests performing religions deep into the night.
Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.

Idioms about religion

get religion, Informal.
- to acquire a deep conviction of the validity of religious beliefs and practices.
- to resolve to mend one's errant ways: The company got religion and stopped making dangerous products.

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

Other words from religion

re·li·gion·less, adjective
an·ti·re·li·gion, adjective
non·re·li·gion, noun
sub·re·li·gion, noun

Words Nearby religion

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use religion in a sentence

And yes, our values include tolerance of those who wish to make fun of religion.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive | Ayaan Hirsi Ali | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
In the end, the line between magic and religion may be something of an artificial one.
Harry Potter and the Torah of Terror | Candida Moss, Joel Baden | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
It is the kind of compassion espoused by every world religion and every revered religious leader.
In 2015, Let’s Try for More Compassion | Gene Robinson | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
It needs to be said: bigotry in the name of religion is still bigotry; child abuse wrapped in a Bible verse is still child abuse.
Dear Leelah, We Will Fight On For You: A Letter to a Dead Trans Teen | Parker Molloy | January 1, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
Isha Aran at Jezebel worries that the show “glorif[ies] the way religion can constrain people.”
Your Husband Is Definitely Gay: TLC’s Painful Portrait of Mormonism | Samantha Allen | January 1, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST

The supernaturalist alleges that religion was revealed to man by God, and that the form of this revelation is a sacred book.
God and my Neighbour | Robert Blatchford
Each religion claims that its own Bible is the direct revelation of God, and is the only true Bible teaching the only true faith.
God and my Neighbour | Robert Blatchford
No man should regard the subject of religion as decided for him until he has read The Golden Bough.
God and my Neighbour | Robert Blatchford
Pretty women without religion are like flowers without perfume.
Pearls of Thought | Maturin M. Ballou
It was in the college stage that most of us made out our religion and made it real for ourselves.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation | H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

British Dictionary definitions for religion

religion

/ (rɪˈlɪdʒən) /

noun

belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny
any formal or institutionalized expression of such belief: the Christian religion

the attitude and feeling of one who believes in a transcendent controlling power or powers
mainly 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
something of overwhelming importance to a person: football is his religion
archaic
- the practice of sacred ritual observances
- sacred rites and ceremonies

Origin of religion

C12: via Old French from Latin religiō fear of the supernatural, piety, probably from religāre to tie up, from re- + ligāre to bind

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with religion

religion

see get religion.

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