■ noun
1》 the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
↘a particular system of faith and worship.
2》 a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion.
Derivatives
~less adjective
Origin
ME (orig. in the sense 'life under monastic vows'): from OFr., or from L. religio(n-) 'obligation, reverence'.