atheism

[ ey-thee-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or a supreme being or beings.
2. the philosophical position stating that there is no supreme being or beings.

atheism

/ ˈeɪθɪˌɪzəm /

noun

1. rejection of belief in God or gods

atheism

1. Denial that there is a God. ( Compare agnosticism .)

Other Words From

• an·ti·a·the·ism adjective noun
• pro·a·the·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of atheism¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Greek áthe(os) “godless” + -ism; a- ⁶( def ), theo-

Word History and Origins

Origin of atheism¹

C16: from French athéisme, from Greek atheos godless, from a- ¹+ theos god

Example Sentences

In 1992, the government dropped its constitutional references to atheism.

From Seattle Times

Dan Wakefield, 91, a prolific journalist, novelist, screenwriter, critic and essayist who explored subjects as diverse as life in New York City in the 1950s, the American civil rights movement, the wounds that war inflicts on individuals and society, and, not least, his personal journey from religious faith to atheism and back again, died Wednesday in Miami.

From Seattle Times

He said his own spiritual arc included Baptist baptism as a child in Indianapolis, atheism in college and a 1980 Christmas Eve service in Boston after which he became a devoted Christian again.

From Los Angeles Times

Dan Wakefield, a protean and prolific journalist, novelist, screenwriter, critic and essayist who explored subjects as diverse as life in New York City in the 1950s, the American civil rights movement, the wounds that war inflicts on individuals and society, and, not least, his personal journey from religious faith to atheism and back again, died on Wednesday in Miami.

From New York Times

Not because he's carefully engaged the many philosophical proofs for atheism that are out there, of course.

From Salon

Related Words

• nihilism