polytheism

American  

[pol-ee-thee-iz-uhm, pol-ee-thee-iz-uhm] / ˈpɒl i θiˌɪz əm, ˌpɒl iˈθi ɪz əm /

noun

1. the doctrine of or belief in more than one god or in many gods.

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polytheism British  

/ ˈpɒlɪθiːˌɪzəm, ˌpɒlɪˈθiːɪzəm /

noun

1. the worship of or belief in more than one god

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polytheism Cultural  

1. The belief in more than one god. The ancient Greeks, for example, were polytheists; their gods included Apollo, Athena, Dionysus, and Zeus. (Compare monotheism.)

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Other Word Forms

• polytheist
  noun
• polytheistic
  adjective
• polytheistical
  adjective
• polytheistically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of polytheism

1605–15; poly- + theism; compare French polythéisme

Explanation

Polytheism is belief in many gods — it's kind of the opposite of monotheism, which is belief in one god. If you believe in polytheism, you have a bunch of gods to thank or blame. Though the most widely known religions today — Christianity, Judaism, and Islam — are all examples of monotheism, there have been plenty of religions that preach polytheism. Followers of those religions believe in a pantheon or group of gods, like the ancient Greeks who worshipped Zeus, Athena and the gang. Usually in polytheist religions certain gods are associated with specific things, like war or love.

Example Sentences

Polytheism assumes several divine wills, divergent, possibly conflicting.

From Time Magazine Archive

Polytheism was at the heart of Mecca's economic and social life.

From Time Magazine Archive

Polytheism, with many faults, had three great merits.

From History of European Morals From Augustus to Charlemagne (Vol. 2 of 2) by Lecky, William Edward Hartpole

Polytheism has no basis for such a view.

From Village Life in China A Study in Sociology by Smith, Arthur H.

This idea lies at the foundation of all ancient Polytheism, and most certainly at the foundation of all ancient Monotheism.

From The Christian Foundation, Or, Scientific and Religious Journal, Volume I, No. 11, November, 1880 by Walker, Aaron