religion Definition
re·li·gion (ri lij′ən)
noun
- belief in a divine or superhuman power or powers to be obeyed and worshiped as the creator(s) and ruler(s) of the universe
- expression of such a belief in conduct and ritual
- any specific system of belief and worship, often involving a code of ethics and a philosophy the Christian religion, the Buddhist religion, etc.
- any system of beliefs, practices, ethical values, etc. resembling, suggestive of, or likened to such a system humanism as a religion
- the state or way of life of a person in a monastery, convent, etc.
- 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
religion Idioms
get religion
☆ Informal- to become religious
- to become very conscientious or earnest about something
religion Synonyms
religion
n.
Belief in or relationship to a superior being or beings
belief, faith, creed, devotion, piety, spirituality, persuasion, godliness, morality, religiosity, theology, faithfulness, devoutness, myth, superstition, supernaturalism, doctrine, confession, cult, mythology, communion, religious conscience, fidelity, spiritual-mindedness, religious bent, ethical standard; see also faith 2.Organized worship or service of a deity
veneration, adoration, consecration, sanctification, prayer, ritual, rites, liturgy, ceremonial, holy sacrifice, incantation, holiday, observance, pietism, orthodoxy, reformism; see also ceremony 2.A specific system of belief and worship
faith, denomination, sect; see church 3, faith 2. see also church 3.Religions include: Christianity, Mormonism, Christian Science, Zen Buddhism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Sunni Islam, Sunnite Islam, Shi`a Islam, Shiite Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, Judaism, Theosophy, Zoroastrianism, Shintoism, Taoism, Bahai, Gnosticism, deism, theism, polytheism, dualism;
get religion*
religion Usage Examples
Preposition: of
antiquity: Davies, J. ( 1999 ), Death, Burial and Rebirth in the Religions of Antiquity ( London: Routledge ).
Converse of object
- organize: Remember Max organized religion creates a lot more problems than it solves.
- practice: Those who practice a religion are able to meet friends and take part in social gatherings without alcohol.
- criticize: Incidentally, the program did not criticize religion or religious people.
- found: J Jains Followers of Jainism, which is a religion founded in India in the 6th century BC.
- reveal: Among these religions, the revealed religion of Muhammad is like the light of the sun among the lights of the stars.
Adjective modifier
- monotheistic: Yet in spite of this, all of the great monotheistic religions teach that man was created in God's image.
- organized: Defaming organized religion openly in public is now a crime?
- patriarchal: For believers in the patriarchal religions, liberty is simply the freedom to practice the accepted religion.
- comparative: This has, in recent decades, become comparative religion.
- Protestant: The two major religions in Elizabethan England were the Catholic and Protestant religions.
Modifies a noun
thread: Debs Hallsworth ( debsuk ) Mon, 29 May 2006 Religion Thread I can't because of who I am.
Noun used with modifier
- pagan: As long he didn't try to argue that the Hebrew Scriptures were the truth and the pagan religions were not.
- mystery: But I would like to take you up on the notion of a mystery religion.
- Buddhist: It is important to the Buddhist religion as it is carved to represent the stages of Buddhist life.
- testament: Regards, Rob -------------------- " In the New Testament religion is grace and ethics is gratitude.
Browse dictionary entries near religion
- ‹ religio-
- ‹ relight
- ‹ relig
- ‹ relievo
- ‹ relieved
- ‹ relieve
- ‹ relief valve
- ‹ relief map
- ‹ relief
- ‹ reliction
- religionism ›
- religiosity ›
- religious ›
- Religious Society of Friends ›
- reline ›
- relinquish ›
- relinquishment ›
- reliquary ›
- relique ›
- reliquiae ›

