denomination

noun

de·​nom·​i·​na·​tion di-ˌnä-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce denomination (audio)
1
: an act of denominating
the denomination of prices in U.S. dollars
2
: a value or size of a series of values or sizes
metric denominations
especially : the value of a particular coin or bill
bills in $20 and $50 denominations
3
: name, designation
especially : a general name for a category
listed under the general denomination of gifts
4
: a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices
people from several different Christian denominations
denominational adjective
denominationally adverb

Examples of denomination in a Sentence

People from several different religious denominations participated in the event. Methodists, Baptists, and other Christian denominations. It's one of the more conservative denominations. The kidnappers asked for bills in small denominations. The gift certificates are available in $5 and $10 denominations. She spoke with people of many different political denominations.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the age to come, religious denomination, more than national citizenship, might conceivably prove the more relevant framework for identity and loyalty. Henry A. Kissinger, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024 Across the United States, the issue of women clergy is currently a focal point in several Christians denominations, including the Catholic Church, where women are not allowed to be ordained. Lisa Ling, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2024 Watch on Deadline The U.S. maintained an even larger system of Indian boarding schools than Canada, most of them run by Christian denominations, where abuse of children also flourished. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024 This was driven largely by liberal Christian denominations and the work of Christian theologians, particularly Paul Tillich and Reinhold Niebuhr. Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for denomination 

Word History

Etymology

see denominate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of denomination was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near denomination

Cite this Entry

“Denomination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/denomination. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

denomination

noun
de·​nom·​i·​na·​tion di-ˌnäm-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce denomination (audio)
1
: an act of denominating
2
: one of a series of related values each having a special name
a $5 bill represents one denomination of U.S. money
3
: name entry 1 sense 1, designation
especially : a general name for a class of things
4
: a religious body made up of a number of congregations with similar beliefs
denominational
-shnəl How to pronounce denomination (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on denomination

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!