religion

[ ri-lij-uhn ]

/ rɪˈlɪdʒ ən /

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.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU IDENTIFY LITERATURE’S FAMOUS OPENING LINES?

The opening line of any book should say, in the words of Stephen King, “Listen. Come in here. You want to know about this.” Right? So intriguing! But, alas, that is not how books begin. So, how well do you know the actual opening lines from some of literature's greatest novels? Correctly match these memorable openers with their works of fiction and consider yourself an excellent listener!

Question 1 of 13

“If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.”

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms for 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

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

OTHER WORDS FROM religion

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

Words nearby religion

relievo, relig., relight, religieuse, religieux, religion, religionism, religiose, religiosity, religious, religious house

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for religion

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|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|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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
Even the religion of this modern century bears the deep impress of the trade-mark, which calendars its financial value.
My Wife and I|Harriet Beecher Stowe
We have said that there is something eternal in religion: it is the cult and the faith.
The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life|Emile Durkheim
It depended on him whether the reproach which lay on his religion should be taken away or should be made permanent.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
Religion, say these, was corrupted a little after His death, and remained in that state of corruption about sixteen hundred years.
Letters on England|Voltaire
In the interior of their abode, they occupy themselves with feminine tasks, and fervently perform the rites of their religion.
The Smuggler Chief|Gustave Aimard

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 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

Idioms and Phrases with religion

religion

see get religion.

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

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WORD OF THE DAY

religion

noun

QUIZZES

CAN YOU IDENTIFY LITERATURE’S FAMOUS OPENING LINES?

Idioms for religion

Origin of religion

OTHER WORDS FROM religion

Words nearby religion

Example sentences from the Web for religion

British Dictionary definitions for religion

noun

Word Origin for religion

Idioms and Phrases with religion

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

religion

noun

QUIZZES

CAN YOU IDENTIFY LITERATURE’S FAMOUS OPENING LINES?

Idioms for religion

Origin of religion

OTHER WORDS FROM religion

Words nearby religion

Words related to religion

Example sentences from the Web for religion

British Dictionary definitions for religion

noun

Word Origin for religion

Idioms and Phrases with religion