Shinto

American  

[shin-toh] / ˈʃɪn toʊ /

noun

1. Also Shintoism. the native religion of Japan, primarily a system of nature and ancestor worship.

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adjective

1. Also Shintoistic. of, relating to, or characteristic of Shinto.

Shinto British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• Shintoism
  noun
• Shintoist
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of Shinto

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Shinto

Some argue that a mosque much larger than the nearby Japanese Shinto shrine is disrespectful.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

The future of the imperial household -- mythically descended from the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu -- depends currently on Prince Hisahito, the 19-year-old nephew of Emperor Naruhito, 66.

From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026

As these forms of faith came down to the present day, they tended to ignore the strain of religions that are mostly nonproselytizing—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Judaism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto and tribal indigenous traditions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026

She was inspired by the Japanese Shinto religion, which teaches that objects have spirits and must be respected as such.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2025

The Shinto virgins, as unjust and purblind as young gorgons may be expected to prove, were quite wrong as to O'Tei, who was no flirt.

From The Curse of Koshiu A Chronicle of Old Japan by Lewis Wingfield

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