congregation

noun

con·​gre·​ga·​tion ˌkäŋ-gri-ˈgā-shən 

1

a

: an assembly of persons : gathering

especially : an assembly of persons met for worship and religious instruction

b

: a religious community: such as

(1)

: an organized body of believers in a particular locality

The pastor delivered a lengthy sermon to the congregation.

(2)

: a Roman Catholic religious institute with only simple vows

a congregation of nuns

(3)

: a group of monasteries forming an independent subdivision of an order

2

: the act or an instance of congregating or bringing together : the state of being congregated

3

: a body of cardinals and officials forming an administrative division of the papal curia

Did you know?

The verb congregate may be used for spontaneous gatherings. A crowd quickly congregates at the scene of an accident, for example, just as cows, sheep, or horses tend to congregate during a storm. And under military rule, citizens are often forbidden to congregate on street corners or anywhere else. But a congregation is generally a group that has gathered for a formal purpose, usually in church. The Congregational Church was originally the church of the Puritan settlers, in which each congregation governed its own church independent of any higher authority.

Synonyms

• assembly
• church

Examples of congregation in a Sentence

The priest addressed the congregation.

She is a member of a small congregation.

Recent Examples on the Web

What is the Gateway Church? Gateway Church was founded in 2000 and is now one of the largest congregations in the nation, with an attendance of over 25,000. —Jenna Sundel, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Some Ethiopian children continue to attend the Lutheran afterschool program, and the congregation has joined several others in helping hundreds of newcomers with everything from meals to furniture to winter clothing. —Giovanna Dell'orto, Twin Cities, 31 Oct. 2024

Many Jews will attend services at synagogues or other congregations, reciting special prayers and singing special songs. —Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Oct. 2024

Yom Kippur in Louisville These Jewish congregations will have services for Yom Kippur 2024: Temple Shalom, 4615 Lowe Road Keneseth Israel Congregation, 2531 Taylorsville Road Congregation Adath Jeshurun, 2401 Woodbourne Ave. —Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see congregate entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

congregation

noun

con·​gre·​ga·​tion ˌkäŋ-gri-ˈgā-shən 

1

: a gathering or collection of persons or things

2

a

: an assembly of persons gathered especially for religious worship

b

: the members of a church or synagogue