creationism

American  

[kree-ey-shuh-niz-uhm] / kriˈeɪ ʃəˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. the doctrine that matter and all things were created, substantially as they now exist, by an omnipotent Creator, and not gradually evolved or developed.

2. (sometimes initial capital letter)  the doctrine that the true story of the creation of the universe is as it is recounted in the Bible, especially in the first chapter of Genesis.

3. the doctrine that God immediately creates out of nothing a new human soul for each individual born.

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creationism British  

/ kriːˈeɪʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the belief that God brings individual human souls into existence at conception or birth Compare traducianism

2. the doctrine that ascribes the origins of all things to God's acts of creation rather than to evolution

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creationism Cultural  

1. A literal belief in the biblical account of Creation as it appears in the Book of Genesis. Creationists believe that the creation of the world and all its creatures took place in six calendar days; they therefore deny the theory of evolution.

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Other Word Forms

• anticreationism noun
• anticreationist noun
• creationist noun
• creationistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of creationism

First recorded in 1840–50; creation + -ism

Example Sentences

“This excuse is like saying we should give the fantasy of creationism the same validity as the scientifically proven truth of evolution. We should not,” said Warren.

From Los Angeles Times

There are calls for a school to be investigated after promoting creationism and an evangelistic Christian course.

From BBC

Others have argued that intelligent design is just creationism in a new package.

From Seattle Times

A: I grew up in a ministry family that believed in young Earth creationism.

From Science Magazine

Science standards adopted by the board’s conservative majority in 2021 do not mention creationism as an alternative to evolution.

From Seattle Times