religion

[ ri-lij-uhn ]

noun

1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects:

   the Christian religion;

   the Buddhist religion.

3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices:

   a world council of religions.

4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.:

   to enter religion.

5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience:

   to make a religion of fighting prejudice.

7. religions, Archaic. religious rites:

   painted priests performing religions deep into the night.

8. Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion:

   a religion to one's vow.

religion

/ rɪˈlɪdʒən /

noun

1. belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny
2. any formal or institutionalized expression of such belief

   the Christian religion

3. the attitude and feeling of one who believes in a transcendent controlling power or powers
4. RC Church the way of life determined by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience entered upon by monks, friars, and nuns

   to enter religion

5. something of overwhelming importance to a person

   football is his religion

6. archaic.
   1. the practice of sacred ritual observances
   2. sacred rites and ceremonies

Other Words From

• re·li·gion·less adjective
• an·ti·re·li·gion adjective
• non·re·li·gion noun
• sub·re·li·gion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of religion¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English religioun, from Old French religion or directly from Latin religiōn- (stem of religiō “conscientiousness, piety,” equivalent to relig(āre) “to tie, fasten” ( re- re- + ligāre “to bind, tie”; ligament ) + -iōn- -ion; rely

Word History and Origins

Origin of religion¹

C12: via Old French from Latin religiō fear of the supernatural, piety, probably from religāre to tie up, from re- + ligāre to bind

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. get religion, Informal.
   1. to acquire a deep conviction of the validity of religious beliefs and practices.
   2. to resolve to mend one's errant ways:

      The company got religion and stopped making dangerous products.

More idioms and phrases containing religion

see get religion .

Example Sentences

We will reclaim our history, and our country, for citizens of every race, color, religion and creed.

From Washington Post

Connecticut, which requires voters to show up at their polling place on election day unless they’re incapable due to illness, physical disability, or their religion, has extended absentee voting to all eligible residents, for example.

From Popular-Science

Democrats are once again doubling down on religion this year.

From FiveThirtyEight

A deeply controversial film at the time of its release because of its dark and cynical, even sinister view of organized religion, Hunchback is perhaps Disney’s most intense film.

From Vox

A study by Naseem and his colleagues at Blue Veins found the reasons behind child marriage to be a complex milieu of culture, religion and poverty.

From Ozy

And yes, our values include tolerance of those who wish to make fun of religion.

From The Daily Beast

In the end, the line between magic and religion may be something of an artificial one.

From The Daily Beast

It is the kind of compassion espoused by every world religion and every revered religious leader.

From The Daily Beast

It needs to be said: bigotry in the name of religion is still bigotry; child abuse wrapped in a Bible verse is still child abuse.

From The Daily Beast

Isha Aran at Jezebel worries that the show “glorif[ies] the way religion can constrain people.”

From The Daily Beast

The supernaturalist alleges that religion was revealed to man by God, and that the form of this revelation is a sacred book.

From Project Gutenberg

Each religion claims that its own Bible is the direct revelation of God, and is the only true Bible teaching the only true faith.

From Project Gutenberg

No man should regard the subject of religion as decided for him until he has read The Golden Bough.

From Project Gutenberg

Pretty women without religion are like flowers without perfume.

From Project Gutenberg

It was in the college stage that most of us made out our religion and made it real for ourselves.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• church
• creed
• cult
• denomination
• doctrine
• morality
• myth
• mythology
• prayer
• ritual
• sect
• spirituality
• superstition
• theology