denomination

[ dih-nom-uh-ney-shuhn ]

noun

1. a religious group, usually including many local churches, often larger than a sect:

   the Lutheran denomination.

2. one of the grades or degrees in a series of designations of quantity, value, measure, weight, etc.:

   He paid $500 in bills of small denomination.

3. a name or designation, especially one for a class of things.
4. a class or kind of persons or things distinguished by a specific name.
5. the act of naming or designating a person or thing.

denomination

/ dɪˌnɒmɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. a group having a distinctive interpretation of a religious faith and usually its own organization
2. a grade or unit in a series of designations of value, weight, measure, etc

   coins of this denomination are being withdrawn

3. a name given to a class or group; classification
4. the act of giving a name
5. a name; designation

Derived Forms

• deˌnomiˈnational, adjective
• deˌnomiˈnationally, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of denomination¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English denominacioun “name, designation; act of naming or designating,” from Latin dēnōminātiōn- (stem of dēnōminātiō “calling something by other than its proper name, substitution, metonymy,” equivalent to dēnōmināt(us) + -iōn-; denominate, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of denomination¹

C15: from Latin dēnōminātiō a calling by name; see denominate

Example Sentences

It suggests the role should include "building a bridge between the school and church", and between the school and the wider community, including other denominations and faith communities.

From BBC

I was born into a family that didn’t discuss politics at all, only religion, and only in the context of our own denominations of Christianity and proselytizing.

From Salon

Many of the island's residents are members of various protestant denominations that believe Sunday should be a day of rest.

From BBC

Murphy and his co-creators could have used any denomination's religious institutional hypocrisy, but the Catholic church is irresistibly theatrical and has a track record of sex scandals and being judgmental.

From Salon

The coin is thought to have been made by Royal Mint craftsmen before the 20p denomination was released into circulation in 1982.

From BBC

Related Words

• church
• creed
• cult
• faith
• persuasion
• religion
• sect