First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1worship
noun wor·ship \ˈwər-shəp also ˈwȯr-\
: the act of showing respect and love for a god especially by praying with other people who believe in the same god : the act of worshipping God or a god
: excessive admiration for someone
Full Definition of WORSHIP
1
chiefly British : a person of importance —used as a title for various officials (as magistrates and some mayors)
2
: reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power; also : an act of expressing such reverence
3
: a form of religious practice with its creed and ritual
4
: extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem <worship of the dollar>
See worship defined for English-language learners
See worship defined for kids
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Origin of WORSHIP
Middle English worshipe worthiness, respect, reverence paid to a divine being, from Old English weorthscipe worthiness, respect, from weorth worthy, worth + -scipe -ship
Related to WORSHIP
- Synonyms
- adulation, deification, hero worship, idolatry, idolization, worshipping (also worshiping)
2worship
verb
: to honor or respect (someone or something) as a god
: to show respect and love for God or for a god especially by praying, having religious services, etc.
: to love or honor (someone or something) very much or too much
worshipped also worshipedworship·ping also worship·ing
Full Definition of WORSHIP
transitive verb
1
: to honor or reverence as a divine being or supernatural power
2
: to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion <a celebrity worshipped by her fans>
intransitive verb
: to perform or take part in worship or an act of worship
— wor·ship·per or wor·ship·er noun
See worship defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WORSHIP
13th century
Related to WORSHIP
Synonym Discussion of WORSHIP
revere, reverence, venerate, worship, adore mean to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully. revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling <a professor revered by her students>. reverence presupposes an intrinsic merit and inviolability in the one honored and a similar depth of feeling in the one honoring <reverenced the academy's code of honor>. venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age <heroes still venerated>. worship implies homage usually expressed in words or ceremony <worships their memory>. adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment <we adored our doctor>.
WORSHIP Defined for Kids
1worship
noun wor·ship \ˈwər-shəp\
Definition of WORSHIP for Kids
1
: deep respect toward God, a god, or a sacred object
2
: too much respect or admiration
2worship
verb
wor·shipped also wor·shipedwor·ship·ping also wor·ship·ing
Definition of WORSHIP for Kids
1
: to honor or respect as a divine being
2
: to regard with respect, honor, or devotion <She worships her son.>
3
: to take part in worship or an act of worship
— wor·ship·per or wor·ship·er noun
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