be·lief 
/bəˈli:f/ noun
plural be·liefs /bəˈli:f/ noun 1 a : a feeling of being sure that someone or something exists or that something is true [singular] ▪ a heartfelt/deep/deep-seated/firm/strong/passionate belief — often + in ▪ He says that he is given strength by his belief in God. ▪ He has a strong belief in his ability to win. [=he is certain that he can win] ▪ His family has an unshakable belief in his innocence. — often + that ▪ It's my belief that the current policy is certain to fail. [=I believe that the current policy is certain to fail] ▪ She bought the rug in the belief that [=because she believed that] it was a real antique, not a fake. ▪ Many people arrived early in the mistaken/erroneous belief that [=because they mistakenly believed that] free tickets would be available. ▪ There is a growing belief that [=an increasing number of people believe that] these policies will not succeed. [noncount] ▪ There is growing belief that these policies will not succeed. ▪ Contrary to popular belief, the economy has actually improved in recent months. [=the economy has improved although many/most people do not think that it has] — compare disbelief
b [singular] : a feeling that something is good, right, or valuable — + in ▪ a belief in democracy ▪ a judge who had a firm/strong belief in judicial restraint
c [singular] : a feeling of trust in the worth or ability of someone — + in ▪ He has a strong belief in himself. [=he strongly believes that he will succeed] 2 [count] : something that a person accepts as true or right : a strongly held opinion about something
▪ He gets angry if anyone challenges his religious/political beliefs. ▪ We challenged his beliefs about religion. ▪ erroneous/mistaken/false beliefs ▪ a system of beliefs = a belief system — compare unbelief 3 [noncount] : the state of being accepted as true : the state of being believed
▪ a story that is worthy of belief [=a story that deserves to be believed, a believable story] ▪ a story that defies belief = (chiefly Brit) a story that beggars belief [=an unbelievable story]
b [singular] : a feeling that something is good, right, or valuable — + in ▪ a belief in democracy ▪ a judge who had a firm/strong belief in judicial restraint
c [singular] : a feeling of trust in the worth or ability of someone — + in ▪ He has a strong belief in himself. [=he strongly believes that he will succeed]
▪ He gets angry if anyone challenges his religious/political beliefs. ▪ We challenged his beliefs about religion. ▪ erroneous/mistaken/false beliefs ▪ a system of beliefs = a belief system — compare unbelief
▪ a story that is worthy of belief [=a story that deserves to be believed, a believable story] ▪ a story that defies belief = (chiefly Brit) a story that beggars belief [=an unbelievable story]
beyond belief
: not capable of being believed
▪ events that are beyond belief [=events that are unbelievable] ▪ She is beautiful beyond belief. [=she is unbelievably/extremely beautiful]
▪ events that are beyond belief [=events that are unbelievable] ▪ She is beautiful beyond belief. [=she is unbelievably/extremely beautiful]
to the best of your belief
◊If you say something is to the best of your belief, you mean that it agrees with what you know and believe to be true.
▪ To the best of my belief [=(more commonly) to the best of my knowledge, as far as I know], everyone arrived on time. [=I think that everyone arrived on time, but it is possible that someone arrived late and I don't know about it]
▪ To the best of my belief [=(more commonly) to the best of my knowledge, as far as I know], everyone arrived on time. [=I think that everyone arrived on time, but it is possible that someone arrived late and I don't know about it]
