religion
Pluralreligions
Pluralreligions
Formsreligions, religioning, religioned
- 1One organized system of spiritual belief, with its own rituals and practices.
Like a club with its own rules, members, and special ceremonies.
Buddhism is a religion practiced by millions of people.
Many religions have their own holy days and festivals.
Similarfaith
Note
- 2Belief in God, gods, or a spiritual world, and the worship and practices that go with it.
Like trusting in something bigger than yourself and showing that trust through daily habits.
Religion has shaped human history for thousands of years.
For many people, religion brings comfort in hard times.
UsageSay religion with no the for religion in general.
Oppositeirreligion, unbelief
Note
- 3An activity that a person or group cares about so deeply it is almost like a faith.
Like caring about a hobby so much that you never miss it.
For him, soccer is a religion.
Cooking became a religion in that household.
UsageSay something is a religion or is practically a religion.
Similarobsession, passion, cult
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- 4A subject at school or college about what people of different faiths believe and do.
She is majoring in religion at the state university.
Our religion teacher showed us pictures of temples from around the world.
UsageSay a degree in religion.
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Less common meanings
- 5The life of prayer and strict rules that monks and nuns choose to follow.
Like joining a community where everyone shares the same daily routine and promises.
She entered religion at the age of twenty and joined a convent.
After years in religion, he became the abbot of the monastery.
UsageEnter religion means become a monk or nun.
Note
- 6Strong loyalty to a rule or duty, carried out carefully every time.
Oh with what religion doe I respect and observe the same!
1603, Michel de Montaigne, The EssayesHere, religion means faithful care, sticking closely to a rule.Note
- 7To take part in religious worship or practice.
Religious practice and action (“religioning”) can be liberating, and can connect displaced people with the spirits of home.
2015, Alexander Horstmann, Jin-Heon JungHere, religioning means practicing religion, doing acts of worship.On the scales below, circle the one ( + ) or (-) number which best represents your situation on both the belief and practice dimensions for each of the traditional and nontraditional forms of religioning.
1978, Military Chaplains' ReviewHere, religioning means practicing religion, taking part in worship.Note
- 8To teach someone the beliefs of a faith until they fully accept it.
“What do you do, Donnigan? Spend all yer time religioning yer young?”
2007, Janette Oke, A Bride for DonniganHere, religioning means teaching a faith to someone, here to children.To men whose minds are thus religioned, tied back to gods that never advance, there can never be any such word as progress
1890, John R. Kelso, Deity analyzed: In six lectures - Page 37Here, religioned means taught a faith, raised to believe it.Similarindoctrinate, catechize
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- 9To make something holy or give it sacred meaning.
If queer Jews, Muslims and Christians are engaged in queering their religions, they are also engaged in what might becalled 'religioning' the queer.
2013, Andrew Kam-Tuck Yip, Stephen HuntHere, religioning means making something holy or sacred.Similarsanctify, consecrate, hallow, bless
Note
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It comes through Old French from Latin religiō, which meant things like conscientiousness, reverence, and sanctity.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- English religion comes through Old French from Latin religiō. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin religiō had meanings including conscientiousness, reverence, and sanctity. en.wiktionary.org