act of faith

American

noun

an act that demonstrates or tests the strength of a person's convictions, as an important personal sacrifice.

act of faith British

noun

Christianity an act that demonstrates or tests a person's religious beliefs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

act of faith Idioms

Behavior that shows or tests a person's religious or other convictions, as in Rock climbing with a new, inexperienced partner was a real act of faith. The term is a translation of the Portuguese auto da fé, which referred to the sentencing and execution of heretics (often by burning at the stake) during the Inquisition, when punishing heresy was thought to constitute an assertion of faith. In modern times it is used for more benign circumstances. [Early 1700s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For now, the preparations are an act of faith.

From The Wall Street Journal

The act of faith, of believing, is by definition something that can’t be seen.

From Los Angeles Times

As with an estimated 10 million other Mexicans who will make their way to the basilica this month, their journey had been an act of faith, of penitence, and of thanks.

From Los Angeles Times

“It was such an act of faith, because, you know, we’re in the middle of this incredible disaster.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Rainmaker is an act of faith.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023