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

Kristallnacht translates as Night of Broken Glass, a reference to the thousands of shops, businesses and synagogues destroyed by the Nazis across the two nights in November 1938. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024

The last thing the state needs is to abort its children, sterilize its youth, and shutter its churches, synagogues, and religious schools. —The Editors, National Review, 4 Nov. 2024

Chicago authorities filed hate crime and terrorist charges against a suspect accused of shooting a Jewish man walking to synagogue and then opening fire on police and medical emergency responders. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024

This event marks the 1938 November night during which members of the Nazi party raided, destroyed and burned Jewish businesses and synagogues throughout Germany and Austria, killing more than 90 Jewish people. —Brian Gioiele, Connecticut Post, 1 Nov. 2024

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