re ‧ li ‧ gion S2 W2 /rɪˈlɪdʒ ə n/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ religion , ↑ religiosity ; adverb : ↑ religiously ; adjective : ↑ religious ≠ ↑ irreligious ]
[ Date: 1100-1200 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: religio , probably from religare ; ⇨ ↑ rely ]
1 . [uncountable] a belief in one or more gods:
The U.S. Constitution promises freedom of religion.
a course on philosophy and religion
2 . [countable] a particular system of this belief and all the ceremonies and duties that are related to it:
people of different religions
the Islamic religion
The tribe practised a religion that mixed native beliefs and Christianity.
3 . find/get religion to suddenly become interested in religion in a way that seems strange to other people:
Miller found religion in prison.
4 . something is (like) a religion used when saying that something is very important to someone and they are extremely interested in it and spend a lot of time doing it, watching it etc:
Football was a religion in my family.
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THESAURUS
▪ religion [uncountable and countable] a set of beliefs about a god, and the ceremonies and customs that go with these beliefs. Also used when talking about all religions in general:
Judaism is one of the great religions of the world.
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African tribal religions
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a lecture on the role of religion in society
▪ faith [uncountable and countable] a religion, especially one of the large important world religions. Also used when talking about religious belief in general:
The school welcomes children of all faiths.
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His religious faith was always deeply important to him.
▪ belief [uncountable and countable] the act of believing in a god or gods, or the ideas that someone believes because of their religion:
We all have the right to freedom of belief.
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They were persecuted because of their religious beliefs.
▪ denomination [countable] a religious group that has slightly different beliefs from other groups who belong to the same religion:
The church is the largest Christian denomination in the United States.
▪ sect [countable] a group of people who have their own set of religious beliefs and customs, especially a group that has separated from a larger group:
He became a member of a Buddhist sect.
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There are two sects in Islam - the Sunni and the Shi'a.
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an obscure religious sect
▪ the church [singular, uncountable] the Christian religion in general:
How great is the influence of the church in present-day society?
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The church has a lot to say about this.
▪ the Catholic/Protestant etc church ( also Church ) [countable] one of the separate groups within the Christian religion:
the Methodist Church
▪ cult [countable] an extreme religious group that is not part of an established religion – often used to show disapproval:
The suicides have been linked to a strange religious cult.
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the traditional pagan cults of Ancient Rome
▪ creed [uncountable and countable] formal the religion that you belong to, and the set of beliefs that you accept in order to belong to it – often used in phrases when saying that your religion should not affect how you are treated:
There must be no discrimination because of race, colour, or creed.
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You will be rewarded whatever your race or creed.
▪ faith community [countable] formal a group of people who share the same religious beliefs – used especially in official contexts:
the benefits of living within a supportive faith community