religion

The word “religion” means belief in a god or gods, along with the practices and rituals connected to that belief. In plain terms, a system of belief in the divine, along with its rituals and communities of followers.

“Religion” is pronounced rih-LIHJ-uhn (/ɹɪˈlɪd͡ʒ.ən/ in IPA).

Here is “religion” used in a sentence: “Religion plays a central role in many people's daily lives.”

Words with a similar meaning to “religion” include faith.

“Religion” is a noun.

The word “religion” comes from Latin. From Old French religion, from Latin religio, "reverence for the sacred, conscientiousness" — possibly linked to religare, "to bind," though this connection is debated.

“Religion” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Religion” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: belief in a god or gods, along with the practices and rituals connected to that belief.

Religion is an organised system of belief in a god or gods, with shared practices, rituals, texts and usually a community or institution. Spirituality is more personal and individual — a private sense of connection to something greater than oneself. You can be spiritual without following any organised religion, and religious while also being deeply spiritual.

Faith is trust or belief itself, often held quietly and personally. Religion is the wider organised system through which faith is expressed — the shared beliefs, plus the rituals, practices and community around them. Faith can exist on its own, but religion gives it a structure, a name and a set of traditions.

The largest world religions include Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Sikhism. Scholars also group religions by their view of the divine: monotheistic faiths believe in one god, polytheistic ones in many gods, and some traditions focus more on philosophy, ancestors or nature than on a single deity.

For many people religion offers meaning, moral guidance and answers to life's biggest questions. It provides comfort in hardship, marks major events like birth, marriage and death, and builds a sense of belonging through shared ritual and community. Even beyond belief, it has shaped art, law, culture and history worldwide.