religion
n. C / Un. a set of beliefs about a god or gods and the way people should live. It usually involves special ceremonies, prayers, and rules for how to behave.
n. a system of faith and worship, typically involving belief in a superhuman controlling power. Often refers to an organized institution with specific doctrines and rituals.
Freedom of religion is a basic human right.
The local community center hosts people of every religion to encourage peaceful discussion and understanding.
Scholars often debate whether certain philosophical traditions should be classified as a religion or as a secular ethical framework for living.
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”).
Uncountable when referring to the general concept of faith; countable when referring to specific organized systems like Islam or Christianity.