congregationalism

[ kong-gri-gey-shuh-nl-iz-uhm ]

/ ˌkɒŋ grɪˈgeɪ ʃə nlˌɪz əm /

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noun

a form of Protestant church government in which each local religious society is independent and self-governing.

(initial capital letter) the system of government and doctrine of Congregational churches.

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Origin of congregationalism

First recorded in 1640–50; congregational + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM congregationalism

con·gre·ga·tion·al·ist, noun, adjective

Words nearby congregationalism

congregate, congregate housing, congregation, congregational, Congregational Church, congregationalism, Congregationalists, congress, congress boot, congressional, congressional district

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use congregationalism in a sentence

Preston Congregationalism is a very good, a very respectable, and a very quarrelsome creature.
Our Churches and Chapels|Atticus
I must now pass from local and personal affairs to notice a movement in Congregationalism at large.
Recollections of a Long Life|John Stoughton
(for their sakes we say it,) the Congregationalism of New-England governs it.
The Knickerbocker, Vol. 10, No. 1, July 1837|Various
Congregationalism is not largely represented in Kensington, and mainly centres in one or two Churches, viz.
The Church Index|William Pepperell

Congregationalism was still in the ascendancy when it ceased to banish Baptists and to whip Quakers.
The Arena|Various

British Dictionary definitions for congregationalism

Congregationalism

/ (ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃənəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

a system of Christian doctrines and ecclesiastical government in which each congregation is self-governing and maintains bonds of faith with other similar local congregations

Derived forms of Congregationalism

Congregationalist, adjective, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012