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

Like many young Jews of his class, he lived in a world where philosophy and Protestant Christianity set the terms of “serious” spiritual life, and where Judaism was treated as inheritance rather than truth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Blank attributes this in part to Talarico’s personal political brand, which includes embracing Christianity.

From Salon • Mar. 3, 2026

Influenced by Christianity, Judaism and other belief systems, Alawites celebrate Christmas, have no dietary restrictions and don’t require women to wear hijab, or head coverings.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

In Mr. Mian’s travelogue, we meet person after person who professes adherence to Russian Orthodox Christianity, but no one speaks of salvation, sacraments or even Jesus.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

Some said he had been murdered by Cossacks; for a time there was even a rumor that he had been converted to Christianity and had gone to live in France.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok