Definition

1. Noun:
   • A system of faith and worship: An organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and worldviews that relate humanity to an order of existence, often involving a divine power or powers.
   • A personal or institutionalized set of attitudes and practices: The service and worship of God or the supernatural; commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance.
   • A cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith: Something one is deeply committed to or fervently believes in, often compared to religious devotion.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism are major world religions.
  • She studies the history of religion.
  • For him, football is more than a game; it's a religion.

Advanced Usage

• "Freedom of religion": The right to practice any religion one chooses, or to practice no religion.
  • The constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
• "Get religion" (idiomatic): To become religious or deeply committed to a cause.
  • After his health scare, he really got religion about eating well.

Variants and Related Words

• Religious (adj): Relating to or believing in a religion.
  • She is a very religious person.
• Religiosity (n): The quality of being religious; piety.
  • His religiosity was evident in his daily prayers.

Synonyms

• Faith: Strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction.
• Creed: A system of religious belief; a formal statement of Christian beliefs.
• Denomination: A recognized autonomous branch of the Christian Church.

Related Phrases

• Organized religion: A religion that has a structured system of doctrines and administration.
  • He is critical of the rules imposed by organized religion.
• State religion: A religious body or creed officially endorsed by the state.
  • The country does not have a state religion.

Related Idioms

• "Religion of one's choice": The religion a person freely decides to follow.
  • Everyone should be free to practice the religion of their choice.
• "Make a religion of something": To be extremely devoted or regular in doing something.
  • He makes a religion of his morning run.

Noun

1. an institution to express belief in a divine power
   • he was raised in the Baptist religion
   • a member of his own faith contradicted him
2. a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
   • he lost his faith but not his morality