religion

[ri-lij-uh n]

SEE MORE 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

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

1150–1200; Middle English religioun (< Old French religion) < 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

Related formsre·li·gion·less, adjectivean·ti·re·li·gion, adjectivenon·re·li·gion, nounsub·re·li·gion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for religion

mythology, myth, creed, ritual, superstition, theology, prayer, sect, doctrine, church, cult, denomination, morality, spirituality, religiosity, observance, piety, sacrifice, veneration, pietism

Examples from the Web for religion

Contemporary Examples of religion

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
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
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 Communist Party of China gets a bad rap for cracking down on religion.
The Buddhist Business of Poaching Animals for Good Karma
Brendon Hong
December 28, 2014
The religion shaped all facets of life: art, medicine, literature, and even dynastic politics.
The Buddhist Business of Poaching Animals for Good Karma
Brendon Hong
December 28, 2014

Historical Examples of religion

Aspasia remained in Athens, triumphant over the laws of religion and morality.
Philothea
Lydia Maria Child
The influences of religion have been multiplied and strengthened.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
There is a moral, and a religion too, even in the silent walls.
Sunday at Home (From "Twice Told Tales")
Nathaniel Hawthorne
I wish it were possible to speak of God without the implication of dealing with religion.
The Conquest of Fear
Basil King
The minute you touch on religion, as commonly understood, you reach the sectarian.
The Conquest of Fear
Basil King

British Dictionary definitions for religion

religion

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 beliefthe 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 nunsto enter religion

something of overwhelming importance to a personfootball is his religion

archaic

the practice of sacred ritual observances
sacred rites and ceremonies

Word Origin for 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

Word Origin and History for religion

c.1200, "state of life bound by monastic vows," also "conduct indicating a belief in a divine power," from Anglo-French religiun (11c.), Old French religion "piety, devotion; religious community," and directly from Latin religionem (nominative religio) "respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods; conscientiousness, sense of right, moral obligation; fear of the gods; divine service, religious observance; a religion, a faith, a mode of worship, cult; sanctity, holiness," in Late Latin "monastic life" (5c.).

According to Cicero derived from relegere "go through again" (in reading or in thought), from re- "again" (see re-) + legere "read" (see lecture (n.)). However, popular etymology among the later ancients (Servius, Lactantius, Augustine) and the interpretation of many modern writers connects it with religare "to bind fast" (see rely), via notion of "place an obligation on," or "bond between humans and gods." In that case, the re- would be intensive. Another possible origin is religiens "careful," opposite of negligens. In English, meaning "particular system of faith" is recorded from c.1300; sense of "recognition of and allegiance in manner of life (perceived as justly due) to a higher, unseen power or powers" is from 1530s.

To hold, therefore, that there is no difference in matters of religion between forms that are unlike each other, and even contrary to each other, most clearly leads in the end to the rejection of all religion in both theory and practice. And this is the same thing as atheism, however it may differ from it in name. [Pope Leo XIII, Immortale Dei, 1885]

Idioms and Phrases with religion

religion

see get religion.