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Religious Studies & Theology vocabulary · Beliefs and Doctrine

Deity

Meaning in religious studies & theology, with examples

/ˈdeɪəti/nounCore term

In religious studies & theology, deity means: A god or goddess; any being that is worshipped as divine in a religious tradition.

In Turkish: tanrı, ilah, tanrısal varlık

How it is used

A neutral, slightly formal word used in comparative work for gods of many traditions (Hindu deities, Greek deities, a local deity). The plural is deities. In monotheistic contexts writers usually say God instead.

Example sentences

  1. Shiva and Vishnu are among the most widely worshipped Hindu deities.

  2. Each ancient city in Anatolia had its own patron deity.

Common collocations

  • Hindu deities
  • patron deity
  • local deity
  • female deity
  • worship a deity
  • divineRelating to God or a god, or coming from God; as a noun, the divine refers to God or the ultimate sacred reality in general terms.
  • polytheismBelief in and worship of many gods, each often linked to particular powers or areas of life, as in ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Norse religion.
  • monotheismBelief that there is only one God; Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism are usually described as monotheistic religions.
  • templeA building dedicated to the worship of a god or gods, especially in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and ancient religions; in Jewish history, the Temple in Jerusalem.

More terms: Beliefs and Doctrine

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