religion
noun
re·li·gion
ri-ˈli-jən 
1
: an organized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
a study of world religions including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism
practices that are against my religion
monotheistic religions
freedom of religion
also
: the religious beliefs, observances, and social practices found within a given cultural context
… currents in popular religion that are only dimly reflected in the canon of sanctioned Christian works … —
Cullen Murphy
Cullen Murphy 2
: commitment or devotion to a god or gods, a system of beliefs, or religious observance : the service and worship of a god, of multiple gods, or of the supernatural
his recent turn to religion
taking comfort in religion
3
: an interest, cause, belief, or activity that is intensely or passionately held to
Hockey is a religion in Canada.
… socialism became her religion, linking her to a community …—Lara Vapnek
Lara Vapnek4
: the state of being a member of a religious order
a nun in her 20th year of religion
5
archaic
: scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
see also:
Examples of religion in a Sentence
Many people turn to religion for comfort in a time of crisis.
There are many religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.
Shinto is a religion that is unique to Japan.
Hockey is a religion in Canada.
Politics are a religion to him.
Where I live, high school football is religion.
Food is religion in this house.
Recent Examples on the Web
As first impressions go, this was the equivalent of forgetting a date’s name, checking the phone while ordering, and deciding to talk religion and politics over dessert.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
But at 17, his father, a professor, was sent to prison for writing that religion and government should be separate, Shahabi said.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Native American oral histories refer to gambling frequently, said Robert Wiener, a postdoctoral fellow at Dartmouth University who has studied gambling and religion at Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, an ancient Puebloan center.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Is all religion rubbish and still ripping us apart…?
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for religion
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
But at 17, his father, a professor, was sent to prison for writing that religion and government should be separate, Shahabi said.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Native American oral histories refer to gambling frequently, said Robert Wiener, a postdoctoral fellow at Dartmouth University who has studied gambling and religion at Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, an ancient Puebloan center.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Is all religion rubbish and still ripping us apart…?
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for religion
Cite this Entry
“Religion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
religion
noun
re·li·gion
ri-ˈlij-ən
1
a
: the service and worship of God or the supernatural
b
: belief in or devotion to religious faith or observance
c
: the state of a person in the religious life
a nun in her 20th year of religion
2
: a set or system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and ways of doing things
3
: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held with faith and strong feeling
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