Episcopalian

American  

[ih-pis-kuh-peyl-yuhn, -pey-lee-uhn] / ɪˌpɪs kəˈpeɪl yən, -ˈpeɪ li ən /

adjective

1. pertaining or adhering to the Episcopal Church in America.

2. (lowercase) pertaining or adhering to the episcopal form of church government.

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noun

1. a member of the Episcopal Church in America.

2. (lowercase) an adherent of the episcopal system of church government.

Episcopalian ¹ British  

/ ɪˌpɪskəˈpeɪlɪən /

adjective

1. belonging to or denoting the Episcopal Church

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noun

1. a member or adherent of this Church

episcopalian ² British  

/ ɪˌpɪskəˈpeɪlɪən /

adjective

1. practising or advocating the principle of Church government by bishops

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noun

1. an advocate of such Church government

Other Word Forms

• Episcopalianism noun
• episcopalianism noun
• non-Episcopalian noun
• nonepiscopalian adjective
• pseudo-Episcopalian adjective

Etymology

Origin of Episcopalian

First recorded in 1680–90; episcopal + -ian

Example Sentences

He used to present as a staid mainline Episcopalian, but now he denounces that church and speaks of being “mauled by demons.”

From Salon

By the second decade of the 21st century, Presbyterians, Lutherans and Episcopalians had largely dismantled their bans.

From Seattle Times

Mr. Harris started volunteering 15 years ago at the front desk of St. David’s Medical Center, an Austin hospital founded by Episcopalians.

From Washington Times

Catholic, Anglican and Episcopalian churches follow liturgical calendars containing set Scripture passages to be read, with sermons or homilies to be derived from those passages.

From Washington Times

This “dechurching,” as they call it, is apparent in most denominations, reducing the numbers of Presbyterians and Episcopalians and also of evangelicals like Southern Baptists.

From Seattle Times