catechism
noun
cat·e·chism
ˈka-tə-ˌki-zəm 
1
: oral instruction
2
: a manual for catechizing (see catechize sense 1)
specifically
: a summary of religious doctrine often in the form of questions and answers
3
a
: a set of formal questions put as a test
b
: something resembling a catechism especially in being a rote response or formulaic statement
The cook often consulted the latest nutritional catechism for advice.
Examples of catechism in a Sentence
They went to school to learn their catechism.
He taught catechism at Sunday school.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alarm about China’s industrial and trade policies has already led some Republicans to reconsider conservative economic catechisms that date back to the Reagan revolution.
—
Tarun Chhabra, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2020
Browsing the computer section of a local bookstore, the preteen Marlinspike found a copy of 2600 magazine, the catechism of the ’90s hacker scene.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 31 July 2016
But history offers an outlook on life and a method for living it, not a catechism.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2019
His default stance is the scientist’s catechism: More research is needed.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 29 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for catechism 
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Tarun Chhabra, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2020
Browsing the computer section of a local bookstore, the preteen Marlinspike found a copy of 2600 magazine, the catechism of the ’90s hacker scene.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 31 July 2016
But history offers an outlook on life and a method for living it, not a catechism.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2019
His default stance is the scientist’s catechism: More research is needed.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 29 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for catechism
Dictionary Entries Near catechism
Cite this Entry
“Catechism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catechism. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
catechism
noun
cat·e·chism
ˈkat-ə-ˌkiz-əm
1
: a summary of religious doctrine in the form of questions and answers
2
: a set of questions requiring memorized answers put as a test
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