/ bɪˈliːf; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U ] belief (in sth/sb) a strong feeling that sth/sb exists or is true; confidence that sth/sb is good or right :
I admire his passionate belief in what he is doing.
belief in God / democracy
2.
[ sing. , U ] belief (that ... ) an opinion about sth; sth that you think is true :
She acted in the belief that she was doing good.
Contrary to popular belief (= in spite of what people may think) , he was not responsible for the tragedy.
There is a general belief that things will soon get better.
3.
[ C , usually pl. ] something that you believe, especially as part of your religion :
religious / political beliefs
—compare disbelief , unbelief
•
IDIOMS
- beyond belief
—more at beggar verb , best noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : alteration of Old English gelēafa ; compare with believe .