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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

re·li·gion

Audio Help [ri-lij-uh

n] Pronunciation Key

–noun

1.	a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

2.	a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.

3.	the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.

4.	the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.

5.	the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

6.	something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.

7.	religions, Archaic. religious rites.

8.	Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.

—Idiom

get religion, Informal.

a.	to acquire a deep conviction of the validity of religious beliefs and practices.

b.	to resolve to mend one's errant ways: The company got religion and stopped making dangerous products.

[Origin: 1150–1200; ME religioun (< OF religion) < L religiōn- (s. of religiō) conscientiousness, piety, equiv. to relig(āre) to tie, fasten (re- re- + ligāre to bind, tie; cf. ligament) + -iōn- -ion; cf. rely

]

—Related forms

re·li·gion·less, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Religion

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

re·li·gion Audio Help (rĭ-lĭj'ən) Pronunciation Key
n.

1. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
2. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

[Middle English religioun, from Old French religion, from Latin religiō, religiōn-, perhaps from religāre, to tie fast; see rely.]

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
religion

c.1200, "state of life bound by monastic vows," also "conduct indicating a belief in a divine power," from Anglo-Fr. religiun (11c.), from O.Fr. religion "religious community," from L. religionem (nom. religio) "respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods," in L.L. "monastic life" (5c.); according to Cicero, derived from relegare "go through again, read again," from re- "again" + legere "read" (see lecture). However, popular etymology among the later ancients (and many modern writers) connects it with religare "to bind fast" (see rely), via notion of "place an obligation on," or "bond between humans and gods." Another possible origin is religiens "careful," opposite of negligens. Meaning "particular system of faith" is recorded from c.1300.

"The equal toleration of all religions ... is the same thing as atheism." [Pope Leo XIII, Immortale Dei, 1885]

Modern sense of "recognition of, obedience to, and worship of a higher, unseen power" is from 1535. Religious is first recorded c.1225. Transfered sense of "scrupulous, exact" is recorded from 1599.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

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

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
religion1 [rəˈlidʒən] noun

a belief in, or the worship of, a god or gods

Arabic:	دين
Chinese (Simplified):	宗教
Chinese (Traditional):	宗教
Czech:	náboženství
Danish:	religion
Dutch:	godsdienst
Estonian:	usk
Finnish:	uskonto
French:	religion
German:	die Frömmigkeit
Greek:	θρησκεία
Hungarian:	vallás
Icelandic:	trú
Indonesian:	agama
Italian:	religione

Japanese:	信仰
Korean:	믿음, 신앙
Latvian:	ticība
Lithuanian:	tikėjimas
Norwegian:	religion, gudstro
Polish:	religia
Portuguese (Brazil):	religião
Portuguese (Portugal):	religião
Romanian:	religie
Russian:	вера; культ
Slovak:	náboženstvo
Slovenian:	vera
Spanish:	religión
Swedish:	religion
Turkish:	din

religion2 [rəˈlidʒən] noun

a particular system of belief or worship
Example: Christianity and Islam are two different religions.

Arabic:	عَقيدَه
Chinese (Simplified):	宗教信仰
Chinese (Traditional):	宗教信仰
Czech:	náboženství
Danish:	trosretning; religion
Dutch:	godsdienstig
Estonian:	usund
Finnish:	uskonto
French:	religion
German:	die Religion
Greek:	θρησκεία
Hungarian:	vallás
Icelandic:	trúarbrögð
Indonesian:	agama
Italian:	religione

Japanese:	宗教
Korean:	종교
Latvian:	reliģija
Lithuanian:	religija
Norwegian:	religion
Polish:	wyznanie
Portuguese (Brazil):	religião
Portuguese (Portugal):	religião
Romanian:	religie
Russian:	религия
Slovak:	náboženstvo
Slovenian:	veroizpoved
Spanish:	religión
Swedish:	religion
Turkish:	din, inanç