monotheism

noun

mono·​the·​ism ˈmä-nə-(ˌ)thē-ˌi-zəm 

: the doctrine or belief that there is but one God

historically related forms of monotheism as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

—B. R. Barber

monotheist

ˈmä-nə-ˌthē-ist 

noun

monotheistically

ˌmä-nə-thē-ˈi-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of monotheism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Through it all, the rabbis and imam maintain faith in the ties that bound Judaism and Islam together: a common origin in the Middle East through Abraham; a tradition of strict monotheism emphasizing the oneness of God; a reverence for biblical and Quranic shared prophets from Isaac to Moses. —Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Nor does the divide between Mesopotamian polytheism and Jewish monotheism pose a problem. —Esther Brownsmith, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2024

Christianity became the dominant religion of the western world during the fourth century under the reign of the Roman emperor Constantine, who embraced monotheism, or the belief in one God. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2024

Because many people worshipped some variation of a sun god, Aurelian seemed to think Sol Invictus would be the god most likely to pull off monotheism. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

monotheism

noun

mono·​the·​ism ˈmän-ə-(ˌ)thē-ˌiz-əm 

: the belief that there is only one God

monotheist

-ˌthē-əst 

noun

monotheistic

ˌmän-ə-thē-ˈis-tik 

adjective