Shinto

[ shin-toh ]

noun

1. Also Shinto·ism. the native religion of Japan, primarily a system of nature and ancestor worship.

adjective

1. Also Shinto·istic. of, relating to, or characteristic of Shinto.

Shinto

/ ˈʃɪntəʊ /

noun

1. the indigenous religion of Japan, polytheistic in character and incorporating the worship of a number of ethnic divinities, from the chief of which the emperor is believed to be descended

Derived Forms

• ˈShintoist, nounadjective
• ˈShintoism, noun

Other Words From

• Shinto·ist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Shinto¹

< Japanese shintō, earlier shintau < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese shéndào way of the gods

Word History and Origins

Origin of Shinto¹

C18: from Japanese: the way of the gods, from Chinese shên gods + tao way

Example Sentences

This was very commonly done by a priest of the Buddhist or Shinto temple of the place.

From Project Gutenberg

Also, in the larger towns there are Shinto temples dedicated to certain patron-gods of other localities.

From Project Gutenberg

But it is in the State or National observances of the great temples that the Shinto worship is seen in its most elaborated form.

From Project Gutenberg

One noteworthy fact is the absence of images from the pure Shinto temples; that is, images exposed as objects of worship.

From Project Gutenberg

The imperial worship, accordingly, represents the most conspicuous national form of the Shinto cult.

From Project Gutenberg