Definition of RELIGION

religion

Plural: religions

Noun

  • A system of faith and worship, often involving a god.
  • a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
  • an institution to express belief in a divine power
    • "he was raised in the Baptist religion"
  • Belief in a spiritual or metaphysical reality (often including at least one deity), accompanied by practices or rituals pertaining to the belief.
  • A particular system of such belief, and the rituals and practices proper to it.
  • The way of life committed to by monks and nuns.
  • Rituals and actions associated with religious beliefs, but considered apart from them.
  • Any practice to which someone or some group is seriously devoted.
  • Faithfulness to a given principle; conscientiousness.

Verb

  • Engage in religious practice.
  • Indoctrinate into a specific religion.
  • To make sacred or symbolic; sanctify.

Examples

  • At this point, Star Trek has really become a religion.
  • For some, mastering Scrabble becomes almost a RELIGION.
  • I think some Christians would love Jesus more if they weren't so stuck in religion.
  • Islam is a major religion, particularly in North Africa and Southwest Asia.
  • Jack's spiritual, but he's not really into religion.
  • Mormonism is a new religion, while Zoroastrianism is an old one.
  • My brother tends to value religion, but my sister not as much.
  • The monk entered religion when he was 20 years of age.

Origin / Etymology

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”).

Synonyms

faith, organized religion, religious belief, ;, belief, religion, superstition, theism

Scrabble Score: 9

religion: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
religion: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
religion: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

religion: valid Words With Friends Word