synagogue

noun

syn·​a·​gogue ˈsi-nə-ˌgäg 

variants or less commonly synagog

1

: a Jewish congregation

2

: the house of worship and communal center of a Jewish congregation

synagogal

ˌsi-nə-ˈgä-gəl 

adjective

Examples of synagogue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Racist hate crimes Security has been upgraded at Jewish sites in Sydney including synagogues, schools and places of business, and authorities are adopting increasingly tough language against those accused of antisemitic crimes. —Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025

The child care center, located near a Jewish school and synagogue in the city’s east, suffered extensive damage but there were no reports of injuries in the attack, which occurred around 1 a.m. (9 a.m. Monday ET), police said. —Reuters, NBC News, 21 Jan. 2025

The synagogue in the Palisades, which has miraculously remained standing despite the homes around it reduced to rubble. —Shawn Hubler, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025

Shots have been fired at synagogues and schools, though mercifully nobody has been hurt. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English synagoge, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin synagoga, from Greek synagōgē assembly, synagogue, from synagein to bring together, from syn- + agein to lead — more at agent

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

synagogue

noun

syn·​a·​gogue

variants also synagog

ˈsin-ə-ˌgäg 

1

: a Jewish congregation

2

: the house of worship of a Jewish congregation

Etymology

Middle English synagoge "a Jewish congregation," from early French synagoge (same meaning), from Latin synagoga (same meaning), from Greek synagōgē "synagogue, assembly," from synagein "to bring together," from syn- "together with" and agein "to lead" — related to synonymous