secularism

American  

[sek-yuh-luh-riz-uhm] / ˈsɛk yə ləˌrɪz əm /

noun

1. secular spirit or tendency, especially a system of political or social philosophy that rejects all forms of religious faith and worship.

2. the view that public education and other matters of civil policy should be conducted without the introduction of a religious element.

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secularism British  

/ ˈsɛkjʊləˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. philosophy a doctrine that rejects religion, esp in ethics

2. the attitude that religion should have no place in civil affairs

3. the state of being secular

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Other Word Forms

• secularist noun
• secularistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of secularism

First recorded in 1850–55; secular + -ism

Example Sentences

"Their issue has never truly been secularism," said Erdogan.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

“This rise in popularity correlates with increasing secularism and nationalism.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 10, 2026

Jean-François Roberge, the minister responsible for secularism, said in French at a news conference on Thursday that the bill was "part of an approach that respected individual as well as collective rights".

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2025

The mandate was popularized by theologian Francis Schaeffer, who linked it to a larger critique of secularism and liberal culture.

From Salon • Jul. 11, 2025

I enrolled in every course I could squeeze into my schedule, from German idealism to the history of secularism to ethics and law.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Related Words

• blasphemy
• fallacy