noun

1. 1. belief in a divine or superhuman power or powers to be obeyed and worshiped as the creator(s) and ruler(s) of the universe
   2. expression of such a belief in conduct and ritual
2. 1. any specific system of belief and worship, often involving a code of ethics and a philosophy the Christian religion, the Buddhist religion, etc.
   2. any system of beliefs, practices, ethical values, etc. resembling, suggestive of, or likened to such a system humanism as a religion
3. the state or way of life of a person in a monastery, convent, etc.
4. any object of conscientious regard and pursuit

Etymology: ME religioun < OFr or L: OFr religion < L religio, reverence for the gods, holiness, in LL(Ec), a system of religious belief < ? religare, to bind back < re-, back + ligare, to bind, bind together; or < ? re- + IE base *leĝ-, to collect > logic, Gr legein, L legere