catechism

UK: /ˈkætɪkɪzəm/ US: /ˈkætɪˌkɪzəm/ ,(kat′i kiz′əm)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

cat•e•chism /ˈkætɪˌkɪzəm/   n. 

1. Religion
   • Religion [countable] a book containing a summary of the principles of a subject in the form of questions and answers.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cat•e•chism  (kat′i kiz′əm), n. 

1. Religion [Eccles.]
   • Religion an elementary book containing a summary of the principles of the Christian religion, esp. as maintained by a particular church, in the form of questions and answers.
   • Religion the contents of such a book.
2. Religion a similar book of instruction in other subjects.
3. Government a series of formal questions put, as to political candidates, to bring out their views.
4. catechetical instruction.

• Late Latin catēchismus apparently equivalent. to catēch(izāre) to catechize + -ismus -ism
• 1495–1505

cat′e•chis′mal, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

catechism / ˈkætɪˌkɪzəm/ noun

1. instruction by a series of questions and answers, esp a book containing such instruction on the religious doctrine of a Christian Church

Etymology: 16th Century: from Late Latin catēchismus, ultimately from Greek katēkhizein to catechize

ˌcateˈchismal adjective