Word
religion
Phoneticsre·li·gion
US/ɹiˈɫɪdʒən/
UK/ɹɪlˈɪdʒən/
Definitions
01a system of belief
n. a specific system of faith and worship, such as Christianity, Islam, or Buddhism.
n. A particular institutionalised system of religious belief and ritual. Countable in this sense.
“Students at the university come from many different religions and backgrounds.”
“The constitution guarantees the right to practice any religion freely, ensuring that no single faith is given legal preference over others.”
02faith in general
n. the general belief in a god or a spiritual world.
n. The abstract concept of belief in a supernatural or metaphysical reality. Uncountable in this sense.
“For many people, religion provides comfort during difficult times in their lives.”
“Sociologists often study how religion influences the development of moral frameworks within isolated communities.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03serious devotion
n. an activity or hobby that someone takes very seriously and does regularly.
n. A pursuit, interest, or state of mind to which someone is excessively or consistently devoted. Used metaphorically.
“In this city, football is more than just a game; it is a religion.”
“He treats his morning fitness routine like a religion, never missing a single session regardless of the weather or his travel schedule.”
Informal · Humorous
Etymology
From Middle English religioun, from Old French religion, from Latin religiō (“scrupulousness, pious misgivings, superstition, conscientiousness, sanctity, an object of veneration, cult-observance, reverence”). Most likely from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂leg- with the meanings preserved in Latin dīligere and legere (“to read repeatedly”, “to have something solely in mind”). Displaced Old English ǣfæstnes (“religion, lawfulness”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
Related words
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/religion