How to pronounce religion
Say it like rih-LIJ-un. Religion has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LIJ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce religion. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- LIJ
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Religion pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- LIJSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of religion
American and British speakers say religion in essentially the same way: /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ in the US and /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-LIJ-un.
What does religion mean?
- a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny“he lost his faith but not his morality”
- an institution to express belief in a divine power“he was raised in the Baptist religion”“a member of his own faith contradicted him”
Where does religion come from?
From Middle English religioun, from Old French religion, from Latin religiō (“scrupulousness, pious misgivings, superstition, conscientiousness, sanctity, an object of veneration, cult-observance, reverence”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with religion
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of religion.
Questions about saying religion
How do you pronounce religion?
Say rih-LIJ-un. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈlɪdʒən/. In British English it is /rɪˈlɪdʒən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in religion?
Religion has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LIJ). Broken into parts: rih · LIJ · un.
Do Americans and Brits say religion the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ and the British form is /rɪˈlɪdʒən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.