congregation

American  

[kong-gri-gey-shuhn] / ˌkɒŋ grɪˈgeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. an assembly of persons brought together for common religious worship.

2. the act of congregating or the state of being congregated.

3. a gathered or assembled body; assemblage.

4. an organization formed for the purpose of providing for worship of God, for religious education, and for other church activities; a local church society.

5. (in the Bible) the people of Israel.

6. New Testament. the Christian church in general.

7. Roman Catholic Church.

   1. a committee of cardinals or other ecclesiastics.

   2. a community of men or women, either with or without vows, observing a common rule.

8. (at English universities) the general assembly of the doctors, fellows, etc.

9. (in colonial North America) a parish, town, plantation, or other settlement.

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congregation British  

/ ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən /

noun

1. a group of persons gathered for worship, prayer, etc, esp in a church or chapel

2. the act of congregating or collecting together

3. a group of people, objects, etc, collected together; assemblage

4. the group of persons habitually attending a given church, chapel, etc

5. RC Church

   1. a society of persons who follow a common rule of life but who are bound only by simple vows

   2. Also called: dicastery.  an administrative subdivision of the papal curia

   3. an administrative committee of bishops for arranging the business of a general council

6. an assembly of senior members of a university

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Etymology

Origin of congregation

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English congregacio(u)n, from Anglo-French or directly from Latin congregātiōn- (stem of congregātiō ); congregate, -ion

Example Sentences

According to the Times, many local pastors are concerned for minority and immigrant members of their congregations, but they are afraid of angering their conservative, white members.

From Salon

It focuses on portraits and documents from three Jewish communities in colonial America; a classic letter from George Washington reassures the Newport congregation that Jews will have nothing to fear in the new nation.

From The Wall Street Journal

BBC News spoke to Naomi, a 'Young Women's President' in her local congregation in London, meaning she looks after girls between the ages of 12 and 18 in her area.

From BBC

Debra still worries how the church, with a small congregation and a large aging population, will rebuild.

From Los Angeles Times

The King has a long commitment to building bridges between faiths, and the congregation also included representatives of Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and Hindu communities.

From BBC

Related Words

• audience
• crowd
• flock
• gathering
• parish
• throng