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

In Jewish religion, to begin the ritual mourning period, called shiva, a body needs to be buried first.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In August, HRW said he had been sentenced to five years in prison "based solely on exercising his rights to freedom of speech and religion".

Read more on Barron's

The Chinese Communist Party promotes atheism and tightly controls religion - still, some Christian groups are calling this the most extensive crackdown against the faith in decades.

Read more on BBC

The Communist Party seems especially concerned about the spread of religion on the internet.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Over time, he increasingly opposed the state’s restrictions on religion, founding Zion Church in Beijing in 2007, one of many unregistered ministries—often dubbed “house churches” or “underground churches”—that were surging in popularity nationwide.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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