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

We will reclaim our history, and our country, for citizens of every race, color, religion and creed.
Election live updates: Trump returns to Wisconsin; Biden to face live audience at town hall | Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner | September 17, 2020 | Washington Post
Connecticut, which requires voters to show up at their polling place on election day unless they’re incapable due to illness, physical disability, or their religion, has extended absentee voting to all eligible residents, for example.
Why you should vote as early as possible (and how to do it) | John Kennedy | September 17, 2020 | Popular-Science
Democrats are once again doubling down on religion this year.
More And More Americans Aren’t Religious. Why Are Democrats Ignoring These Voters? | Daniel Cox | September 17, 2020 | FiveThirtyEight
A deeply controversial film at the time of its release because of its dark and cynical, even sinister view of organized religion, Hunchback is perhaps Disney’s most intense film.
Toward a queer Disney canon | Emily VanDerWerff | September 4, 2020 | Vox
A study by Naseem and his colleagues at Blue Veins found the reasons behind child marriage to be a complex milieu of culture, religion and poverty.
The Teenager Breaking Up Child Marriages, Door to Door | Pallabi Munsi | September 2, 2020 | Ozy

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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