# religion

/ɹiˈɫɪdʒən/ (US) · /ɹɪlˈɪdʒən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/religion
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a system of belief

noun · CEFR B1

a specific system of faith and worship, such as Christianity, Islam, or Buddhism.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. faith in general

noun · CEFR B1

the general belief in a god or a spiritual world.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. serious devotion

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

an activity or hobby that someone takes very seriously and does regularly.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.