religion

[ri-lij-uhn]

noun

1. 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.

2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects.

   the Christian religion;

   the Buddhist religion.

3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices.

   a world council of religions.

4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc..

   to enter religion.

5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience.

   to make a religion of fighting prejudice.

7. Archaic.,  religions, religious rites.

   painted priests performing religions deep into the night.

8. Archaic.,  strict faithfulness; devotion.

   a religion to one's vow.

religion

/ rɪˈlɪdʒən /

noun

1. belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny

2. any formal or institutionalized expression of such belief

   the Christian religion

3. the attitude and feeling of one who believes in a transcendent controlling power or powers

4. 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

5. something of overwhelming importance to a person

   football is his religion

6. archaic

   1. the practice of sacred ritual observances

   2. sacred rites and ceremonies

Other Word Forms

• religionless adjective
• antireligion adjective
• nonreligion noun
• subreligion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of religion¹

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”; ligament ) + -iōn- -ion; rely

Word History and Origins

Origin of religion¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. get religion,

   1. to acquire a deep conviction of the validity of religious beliefs and practices.

   2. to resolve to mend one's errant ways.

      The company got religion and stopped making dangerous products.

see get religion.

Example Sentences

Legal experts note that faith-led protests often invoke First Amendment protections for both free exercise of religion and free assembly, making these clashes particularly sensitive.

Read more on Salon

The separation of church and state, they hope, can somehow be made to guarantee that religion plays no role in the decision-making processes of private citizens as they undertake their public duty as voters.

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And like most religions, it’s going to disappoint a lot of believers.

Read more on MarketWatch

Which is to say, confronted with the extraordinary workings of science, our fate rests on religion.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

British administrators began counting castes in 1871 as a "deliberate response to the post-1857 unity of Indians across caste and religion", turning it into an "effective tool of imperial control".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• church 
• creed 
• cult 
• denomination 
• doctrine 
• morality 
• myth 
• mythology 
• prayer 
• ritual 
• sect 
• spirituality 
• superstition 
• theology