synod

[sin-uhd]

noun

1. an assembly of ecclesiastics or other church delegates, convoked pursuant to the law of the church, for the discussion and decision of ecclesiastical affairs; ecclesiastical council.

2. any council.

synod

/ ˈsɪnəd, ˈsɪnɒd /

noun

1. a local or special ecclesiastical council, esp of a diocese, formally convened to discuss ecclesiastical affairs

Other Word Forms

• synodal adjective
• antisynod adjective
• subsynod noun
• subsynodal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of synod¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin synodus < Greek sýnodos meeting, equivalent to syn- syn- + ( h ) odós way

Word History and Origins

Origin of synod¹

C14: from Late Latin synodus, from Greek sunodos, from _syn- + hodos a way

Example Sentences

Bishop of Blackburn Philip North - who tabled the amendment slimming down the choice put before the synod to one option - argued that the simpler model could be implemented more quickly.

From BBC

Victims and survivors of abuse, along with several members of the clergy, have called for safeguarding reform, and the subject has been placed on this week's synod agenda.

From BBC

Advocates for greater roles for women in the Church had hoped the synod might call for women to serve as deacons.

From BBC

The pope’s mixed record on LGBTQ+ issues was epitomized by the Vatican’s 2023 synod bringing together hundreds of bishops and lay people from around the world to confer on the future of the church.

From Seattle Times

The synod aims to make the church more inclusive and reflective of and responsive to the needs of rank-and-file Catholics.

From Seattle Times