Re*li"gion (r&esl;*l&ibreve;j"ŭn), n. [F., from L. religio; cf. religens pious, revering the gods, Gr. 'ale`gein to heed, have a care. Cf. Neglect.] 1. 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.

An orderly life so far as others are able to observe us is now and then produced by prudential motives or by dint of habit; but without seriousness there can be no religious principle at the bottom, no course of conduct from religious motives; in a word, there can be no religion.

Religion [was] not, as too often now, used as equivalent for godliness; but . . . it expressed the outer form and embodiment which the inward spirit of a true or a false devotion assumed.

Religions, by which are meant the modes of divine worship proper to different tribes, nations, or communities, and based on the belief held in common by the members of them severally. . . . There is no living religion without something like a doctrine. On the other hand, a doctrine, however elaborate, does not constitute a religion.

Religion . . . means the conscious relation between man and God, and the expression of that relation in human conduct.

After the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

The image of a brute, adorned
With gay religions full of pomp and gold.

2. 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.

Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.

Religion will attend you . . . as a pleasant and useful companion in every proper place, and every temperate occupation of life.

3. (R. C. Ch.) A monastic or religious order subject to a regulated mode of life; the religious state; as, to enter religion. Trench.

A good man was there of religion.

4. Strictness of fidelity in conforming to any practice, as if it were an enjoined rule of conduct. [R.]

Those parts of pleading which in ancient times might perhaps be material, but at this time are become only mere styles and forms, are still continued with much religion.

&fist; Religion, as distinguished from theology, is subjective, designating the feelings and acts of men which relate to God; while theology is objective, and denotes those ideas which man entertains respecting the God whom he worships, especially his systematized views of God. As distinguished from morality, religion denotes the influences and motives to human duty which are found in the character and will of God, while morality describes the duties to man, to which true religion always influences. As distinguished from piety, religion is a high sense of moral obligation and spirit of reverence or worship which affect the heart of man with respect to the Deity, while piety, which first expressed the feelings of a child toward a parent, is used for that filial sentiment of veneration and love which we owe to the Father of all. As distinguished from sanctity, religion is the means by which sanctity is achieved, sanctity denoting primarily that purity of heart and life which results from habitual communion with God, and a sense of his continual presence.

• A system of beliefs that involves the existence or nonexistence of at least one of: a human soul or spirit, a deity or higher being, or self after the death of one's body.
       
• He couldn't abide by any religion that didn't allow for wrongdoers to be punished after death.
  
• (uncommon): Any system of beliefs.
        Note: this usage is uncommon, see Usage note, below.
       
• Science is a religion, because it relies on certain fundamentally unprovable ideas, such as the existence of logic.
  
• (uncommon): A system of belief predicated on the existence of one or more deities.
        Note: this usage is uncommon, see Usage note, below.
       
• It's not really a religion if there's no god to pray to.
  
• A way of living that corresponds to such beliefs.
       
• You can practice any religion you like, as long as it doesn't require you to violate our laws.
  
• A number of customs and rituals associated with such beliefs.
       
• When it comes to religion, she doesn't believe, but she loves to attend the ceremonies.
  
• Anything that involves the association of people in a manner resembling a religious institution or cult.
       
• At this point, Star Trek has really become a religion.
  
• Any system or institution which one engages with in order to foster a sense of meaning or relevence in relation to something greater than oneself.
  
  French
• religion