religion

noun

re·​li·​gion ri-ˈli-jən 

1

: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

2

a(1)

: the service and worship of God or the supernatural

(2)

: commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance

b

: the state of a religious

a nun in her 20th year of religion

3

: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

4

archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness

religionless

ri-ˈli-jən-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

• credo
• creed
• cult
• faith
• persuasion

Examples of religion in a Sentence

Many people turn to religion for comfort in a time of crisis.

There are many religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

Shinto is a religion that is unique to Japan.

Hockey is a religion in Canada.

Politics are a religion to him.

Where I live, high school football is religion.

Food is religion in this house.

Recent Examples on the Web

The execution would also infringe on Hoffman's ability to practice his religion of Buddhism, including breathing and meditation exercises, his lawyers argued. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025

Apart from the seasonal reason, behind the annual joyous festivities from Rio de Janeiro to Venice and Dusseldorf to Barranquilla, are longtime traditions steeped in history and religion. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025

World premiering on March 23 at CPH:DOX, the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival, the film sees Shevchenko traveling to meet women with a range of views and experiences and discuss women’s rights and religion with them. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025

While religion had never been a big part of her life, Sara gave the church that seemed to be the center of Ben’s world a chance. —Judy Berman, TIME, 10 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English religioun, from Anglo-French religiun, Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back — more at rely

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Phrases Containing religion

• anti-religion
• freedom of religion
• get religion
• organized religion

Rhymes for religion

• irreligion
• pigeon

Kids Definition

religion

noun

re·​li·​gion ri-ˈlij-ən 

1

a

: the service and worship of God or the supernatural

b

: belief in or devotion to religious faith or observance

c

: the state of a person in the religious life

a nun in her 20th year of religion

2

: a set or system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and ways of doing things

3

: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held with faith and strong feeling