atheism

noun

athe·​ism ˈā-thē-ˌi-zəm 

1

a

: a lack of belief or a strong disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods

b

: a philosophical or religious position characterized by disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods

2

archaic : godlessness especially in conduct : ungodliness, wickedness

Examples of atheism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are no options for atheism or traditional folk religions, even though millions of Indonesians incorporate such beliefs into their religious life. —Lindsey McGinnis, Christian Science Monitor, 1 May 2025

During the Cold War, the church pitted itself against Soviet atheism; the Polish pope John Paul II, for instance, worked to undermine communist rule in Poland. —Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025

And there will also be those who are very religious about their atheism. —Mike Woodruff, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025

In their public rhetoric, the couple also adopted the discourse of televangelists after professing their atheism for many years. —Gioconda Belli, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Middle French athéisme, from athée atheist, from Greek atheos godless, from a- + theos god

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for atheism

• peroxisome

Kids Definition

atheism

noun

athe·​ism ˈā-thē-ˌiz-əm 

: the belief that there is no God

atheist

-thē-əst

noun

atheistic

ˌā-thē-ˈis-tik

adjective