a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
the object of such devotion.
a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
Sociology. a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
the members of such a religion or sect.
any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.
adjective
of or relating to a cult.
of, for, or attracting a small group of devotees: a cult movie.
Origin of cult
1610–20; <Latin cultus habitation, tilling, refinement, worship, equivalent to cul-, variant stem of colere to inhabit, till, worship + -tus suffix of v. action
Known for her powerful dissents on the court, she became a beloved cult figure, earning respect from people across the political spectrum and achieving near-rock-star status.
The Glorious RBG|Tracy Moran|September 20, 2020|Ozy
It can seem intimidating to an outsider like me — almost cult-like — but it comes from a place of personal experience.
What if Your Company Had No Rules? (Bonus Episode)|Maria Konnikova|September 12, 2020|Freakonomics
In the last year, her fusion exercise class has attracted a cult following and become de rigueur among the celebrity set.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze|Lizzie Crocker|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Malone first met Anderson by chance over a decade ago following the release of the cult hit Donnie Darko.
Jena Malone’s Long, Strange Trip From Homelessness to Hollywood Stardom|Marlow Stern|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Cult of Pappy van Winkle By Elton Felton There are lines around the block and long waiting lists.
Eight Must-read Stories About Nicaragua, School Shooters and the New Republic|The Daily Beast|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The cult of corporatism allows us to reimagine the corporation as our ultimate access point to the infinitude of possibility.
All Hail Shingy, AOL’s Goblin King|James Poulos|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The film was critically panned upon its release, but has since gained a cult following.
Charles Dance on Tywin Lannister’s S5 Return, A ‘Game of Thrones’ Movie,’ and Sexy Peter Dinklage|Marlow Stern|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We have said that there is something eternal in religion: it is the cult and the faith.
The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life|Emile Durkheim
Imported into Greece, these notions and their cult had a twofold development.
Demonology and Devil-lore|Moncure Daniel Conway
The Cult of the Nation is the professionalism of the people.
Creative Unity|Rabindranath Tagore
Thus, ancestor cult also began with the cult of animals, not with that of human ancestors.
Elements of Folk Psychology|Wilhelm Wundt
In the Asiatic cult of the sexes there was no room for beauty, no time for selection.
The Evolution of Love|Emil Lucka
British Dictionary definitions for cult
cult
/ (kʌlt) /
noun
a specific system of religious worship, esp with reference to its rites and deity
a sect devoted to such a system
a quasi-religious organization using devious psychological techniques to gain and control adherents
sociola group having an exclusive ideology and ritual practices centred on sacred symbols, esp one characterized by lack of organizational structure
intense interest in and devotion to a person, idea, or activitythe cult of yoga
the person, idea, etc, arousing such devotion
something regarded as fashionable or significant by a particular group
(as modifier)a cult show
(modifier)of, relating to, or characteristic of a cult or cultsa cult figure
Derived forms of cult
cultism, nouncultist, noun
Word Origin for cult
C17: from Latin cultus cultivation, refinement, from colere to till
In anthropology, an organization for the conduct of ritual, magical, or other religious observances. Many so-called primitive tribes, for example, have ancestor cults, in which dead ancestors are considered divine and activities are organized to respect their memory and invoke their aid. A cult is also a religious group held together by a dominant, often charismatic individual, or by the worship of a divinity, an idol, or some other object. (See animism (see also animism), fetish, and totemism.)
notes for cult
The term cult often suggests extreme beliefs and bizarre behavior.