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the doctrine or belief that there is no God.
disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings.
Contemporary Examples

Just as no unbeliever may be barred from federal service for his atheism, no true believer may be excluded for his abiding faith.
The Constitution and the Candidates: Race, Religion, Romney, and Ryan Akhil Reed Amar August 18, 2012

She is not public about her atheism, just as many of us are not public about our faith.
The Good Wife’s Religion Politics: Voters Have No Faith in Alicia’s Atheism Regina Lizik November 23, 2014

atheism is highest in Europe, where there are established churches involved in the political process.
Dear Evangelicals: You’re Being Had Jay Michaelson November 29, 2014

In 2009 he published a book defaming Hitchens and Richard Dawkins because he was irked by their bellicose brand of atheism.
Do We Need to Be Told How to Read? William Giraldi June 5, 2013

There is little evidence to support the notion that evolution is the result of an assumption of atheism.
How Liberty University Creates Creationists Karl W. Giberson March 1, 2014

Historical Examples

An attempt to exclude him on charges of atheism and blasphemy failed.
The Isle Of Pines (1668) Henry Neville

For at bottom, atheism is either a fad or a trade or a fatuity.
The Book of Khalid Ameen Rihani

Mr. Saunders, so far as his atheism was concerned, was suggested by Professor Clifford.
Memoirs of Life and Literature W. H. Mallock

From the peddling-box, therefore, I turned even as I did from atheism.
The Book of Khalid Ameen Rihani

atheism and downright infidelity, as a general rule, are never very popular.
Practical Religion John Charles Ryle

noun
rejection of belief in God or gods
n.

1580s, from French athéisme (16c.), from Greek atheos “without god” (see atheist). A slightly earlier form is represented by atheonism (1530s) which is perhaps from Italian atheo “atheist.” Ancient Greek atheotes meant “ungodliness.”
atheism [(ay-thee-iz-uhm)]

Denial that there is a God. (Compare agnosticism.)