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| Date: | 1100-1200 |
| Origin: | Probably from Old English geleafa 'belief', from leafa 'belief, faith'; influenced by believe |
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be‧lief S3 W2
1 [singular, uncountable] the feeling that something is definitely true or definitely exists COLLOCATIONS COLLOCATIONS 
a strong/firm belief a sincere/passionate belief it is somebody's belief that a mistaken/false belief a widespread/common/widely held belief (=something that many people think) a deeply held/strongly held belief (=something you believe very much) a growing belief popular belief (=what most people think) contrary to popular belief (=despite what most people think) Thieves broke into the building in the mistaken belief that there was expensive computer equipment inside.
COLLOCATIONS a strong/firm belief a sincere/passionate belief it is somebody's belief that a mistaken/false belief a widespread/common/widely held belief (=something that many people think) a deeply held/strongly held belief (=something you believe very much) a growing belief popular belief (=what most people think) contrary to popular belief (=despite what most people think)
Thieves broke into the building in the mistaken belief that there was expensive computer equipment inside. 2 [singular] the feeling that something is good and can be trusted When you get something wrong, it can shake your belief in yourself.
belief in If you're selling, you have to have genuine belief in the product.
If you're selling, you have to have genuine belief in the product.When you get something wrong, it can shake your belief in yourself.3 [countable] an idea that you believe to be true, especially one that forms part of a system of ideas : religious beliefs
religious beliefs4 used to emphasize that something is so extreme that it is difficult to believe : What she did was stupid beyond belief.
beyond belief
What she did was stupid beyond belief.