“Religions” is a form of
religion
/ɹɪˈlɪd͡ʒ.ən/ noun, verb
Forms religions religioning religioned
- noun (uncountable) Belief in a spiritual or metaphysical reality (often including at least one deity), accompanied by practices or rituals pertaining to the belief. “My brother tends to value religion, but my sister not as much.”
- noun (countable) A particular system of such belief, and the rituals and practices proper to it. “Islam is a major religion, particularly in North Africa and Southwest Asia.”
- noun (uncountable) The way of life committed to by monks and nuns. “The monk entered religion when he was 20 years of age.”
- noun (uncountable, informal) Rituals and actions associated with religious beliefs, but considered apart from them. “I think some Christians would love Jesus more if they weren't so stuck in religion.”
- noun (countable) Any practice to which someone or some group is seriously devoted. “At this point, Star Trek has really become a religion.”
- noun (uncountable, obsolete) Faithfulness to a given principle; conscientiousness.
- verb Engage in religious practice.
- verb Indoctrinate into a specific religion.
- verb To make sacred or symbolic; sanctify.
Synonyms
theism faith belief credo creed superstition religious belief organized religion
Antonyms
nonreligion nonreligiousness nonbelief unbelief irreligion irreligiousness atheism antitheism antireligion antireligiousness
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”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun The outward act or form by which men indicate their recognition of the existence of a god or of gods having power over their destiny, to whom obedience, service, and honor are due; the feeling or expression of human love, fear, or awe of some superhuman and overruling power, whether by profession of belief, by observance of rites and ceremonies, or by the conduct of life; a system of faith and worship; a manifestation of piety; as, ethical religions; monotheistic religions; natural religion; revealed religion; the religion of the Jews; the religion of idol worshipers.
- noun Specifically, conformity in faith and life to the precepts inculcated in the Bible, respecting the conduct of life and duty toward God and man; the Christian faith and practice.
Etymology [F., from L. religio; cf. religens pious, revering the gods, Gr. Neglect.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “religion”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details