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

As well as the dignitaries and faith leaders invited to be part of the congregation, will be NHS nurses and carers from the Canterbury area.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Nearly 20 people associated with Zion Church, a large, long-running Protestant congregation in the Chinese capital, were arrested in October, including founder Ezra Jin, part of one China’s largest crackdowns on Christians in years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

I guess what I’m getting at is: It didn’t feel exalted, but I felt purpose and that it was OK to have some responsibility — like a pastor with a congregation.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

She was reported missing by her family after a member of the 84-year-old’s church congregation reported that she was not present at a church service.

From Salon • Feb. 5, 2026

In less time than it took me to say the Lord’s Prayer, he had worked himself into a frenzy that sent the congregation to its feet, moaning their repentance and the ecstasy of redemption.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago

Related Words

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