Shinto

noun

Shin·​to ˈshin-(ˌ)tō 

: the indigenous religion of Japan consisting chiefly in the cultic devotion to deities of natural forces and veneration of the Emperor as a descendant of the sun goddess

Shinto adjective

Shintoism

ˈshin-(ˌ)tō-ˌi-zəm 

noun

Shintoist

ˈshin-ˌtō-ist 

noun or adjective

Shintoistic

ˌshin-tō-ˈi-stik 

adjective

Examples of Shinto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Among other popular areas, see the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden with a Shinto shrine and wooden torii and the Bonsai Collection, marking its centennial. —Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, this sacred site predates Kyoto’s designation as the capital. —Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2025

Most Japanese people have a very loose relationship to religion compared to some Westerners, adopting practices from Buddhism, Shinto, and even Christianity. —Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025

Even today, the influence of Chinese culture, the Shinto religion and Zen Buddhism can be felt in rock gardens carefully raked to resemble water designed for reflection and meditation. —Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 23 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese shintō

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Shinto

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

Shinto

noun

Shin·​to ˈshin-tō 

: a religion native to Japan