separation of church and state

noun phrase

: the act or state of keeping government and religion separate from each other

Examples of separation of church and state in a Sentence

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Experts have previously told USA TODAY the Supreme Court has increasingly prioritized the free exercise of religion over concerns about the separation of church and state in recent years. Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 In their Supreme Court brief, the families' attorneys argue that the law violates basic First Amendment principles governing the separation of church and state. ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 The case could set up a landmark clash over the separation of church and state. Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2026 Liberals, from Thomas Jefferson to Aristide Briand, championed the separation of church and state. Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for separation of church and state

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“Separation of church and state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/separation%20of%20church%20and%20state. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Legal Definition

separation of church and state

: the separation of religion and government mandated under the establishment clause and the free exercise clause of the U.S. Constitution that forbids governmental establishment or preference of a religion and that preserves religious freedom from governmental intrusion
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