belief

plural beliefs

1. countableuncountableMental acceptance of a claim as true.

   It's my belief that the thief is somebody known to us.

   1 more example

   The belief that there is no conflict between [livestock] farming and arable production also seems to be unfounded: by preventing the growth of trees and other deep vegetation in the hills and by compacting the soil, grazing animals cause a cycle of flash floods and drought, sporadically drowning good land downstream and reducing the supply of irrigation water.

   2013 December 6, George Monbiot, “Why I'm eating my words on veganism – again”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 26, page 48

2. countableuncountableFaith or trust in the reality of something; often based upon one's own reasoning, trust in a claim, desire of actuality, and/or evidence considered.

   Based on this data, it is our belief that X does not occur.

   1 more example

   My belief is that there is a bear in the woods. Bill said he saw one.

3. countableSomething believed.

   The ancient people have a belief in many deities.

4. uncountableThe quality or state of believing.

   My belief that it will rain tomorrow is strong.

5. uncountableReligious faith.

   She often said it was her belief that carried her through the hard times.

6. countablein pluraluncountableOne's religious or moral convictions.

   I can't do that. It's against my beliefs.

   1 more example

   The Trump administration will allow federal workers to promote their religious beliefs to colleagues, display religious items at work and pray together or individually, according to a memorandum issued Monday by the Office of Personnel Management. […] Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 forbids employers from discriminating based on religion. They are required to make reasonable accommodations for their employees’ religious practices and beliefs unless it would be an “undue hardship” to do so.

   2025 July 28, Piper Hudspeth Blackburn, “Trump administration allows federal workers to promote religious beliefs”, in CNN