secularism
Americannoun
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secular spirit or tendency, especially a system of political or social philosophy that rejects all forms of religious faith and worship.
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the view that public education and other matters of civil policy should be conducted without the introduction of a religious element.
noun
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philosophy a doctrine that rejects religion, esp in ethics
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the attitude that religion should have no place in civil affairs
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the state of being secular
Other Word Forms
- secularist noun
- secularistic adjective
Etymology
Origin of secularism
Explanation
Secularism is a way of life and thinking that rejects religion. So if you're into secularism, you're not into God, going to church, praying, or anything holy. Some people dig religion. Other people don't. And it's those people that live a life of secularism, far removed from anything that has to do with God or church. Instead of worrying about heaven or hell, secularism focuses on life as it is on Earth. People who are secularists particularly believe that religious ideas and beliefs should have nothing to do with government affairs or public education.
Vocabulary lists containing secularism
Human Geography - High School
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The Renaissance and Reformation, Lessons 1–2
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Novel Study: I Am Malala
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As in France, Quebec's state secularism - or laïcité - is central to its identity.
From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026
"Defending secularism is not a crime ... We will not surrender to darkness," it adds.
From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026
“This rise in popularity correlates with increasing secularism and nationalism.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 10, 2026
The mandate was popularized by theologian Francis Schaeffer, who linked it to a larger critique of secularism and liberal culture.
From Salon • Jul. 11, 2025
I enrolled in every course I could squeeze into my schedule, from German idealism to the history of secularism to ethics and law.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
