catechism

noun

cat·​e·​chism ˈka-tə-ˌki-zəm 

1

: oral instruction

2

: a manual for catechizing (see catechize sense 1)

specifically : a summary of religious doctrine often in the form of questions and answers

3

a

: a set of formal questions put as a test

b

: something resembling a catechism especially in being a rote response or formulaic statement

The cook often consulted the latest nutritional catechism for advice.

catechismal

ˌka-tə-ˈkiz-məl 

adjective

catechistic

ˌka-tə-ˈki-stik 

adjective

Examples of catechism in a Sentence

They went to school to learn their catechism.

He taught catechism at Sunday school.

Recent Examples on the Web

Alarm about China’s industrial and trade policies has already led some Republicans to reconsider conservative economic catechisms that date back to the Reagan revolution. —Tarun Chhabra, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2020

Browsing the computer section of a local bookstore, the preteen Marlinspike found a copy of 2600 magazine, the catechism of the ’90s hacker scene. —Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 31 July 2016

But history offers an outlook on life and a method for living it, not a catechism. —Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2019

His default stance is the scientist’s catechism: More research is needed. —Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see catechesis

First Known Use

1502, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

catechism

noun

cat·​e·​chism ˈkat-ə-ˌkiz-əm 

1

: a summary of religious doctrine in the form of questions and answers

2

: a set of questions requiring memorized answers put as a test