ecumenism

noun

ecu·​me·​nism e-ˈkyü-mə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce ecumenism (audio)
i-,
 also  ˈe-kyə-,
 or  ˌe-kyə-ˈme-
: ecumenical principles and practices especially as shown among religious groups (such as Christian denominations)
ecumenist
e-ˈkyü-mə-nist How to pronounce ecumenism (audio)
i-
 also  ˈe-kyə-mə-nist
 or  ˌe-kyə-ˈme-nist
noun

Examples of ecumenism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Gulen has tried to develop a genuinely modern school of Islam that reconciles the religion with liberal democracy, scientific rationalism, ecumenism, and free enterprise… The Church Undivided Pope Benedict XVI made reaching out to other faiths and promoting Christian unity hallmarks of his tenure. Victor Gaetan, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024 To others, ecumenism is a dirty word. Grayson Quay, The Week, 4 Dec. 2021 Hans Küng, a Roman Catholic theologian and priest whose brilliantly disputatious, lucidly expressed thoughts in more than 50 books and countless speeches advanced ecumenism and provoked the Vatican to censure him, died on Tuesday at his home in Tübingen, Germany. New York Times, 6 Apr. 2021 Four amicus briefs show a heart warming level of ecumenism. Peter J Reilly, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2022 But not everyone shares Hochman’s judicious assessment of National Review’s ecumenism. Sam Adler-Bell, The New Republic, 3 Dec. 2021 His ecumenism brought a relief even to the celebrities whose looks were setting the trends. Ron Kampeas, sun-sentinel.com, 28 Apr. 2021 Along with several hundred other ecumenical groups, People of Praise celebrated the 50th anniversary of ecumenism's revival in the Catholic Church in Rome. Nicholas Rowan, Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2020 Given all the troubles faced by Christian communities striving to preserve their religious heritage in the Middle East, the cradle of the Church, be grateful for the government’s somewhat mercenary but frank and genuine ecumenism and goodwill. Nr Editors, National Review, 20 Aug. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ecumenism was in 1948

Dictionary Entries Near ecumenism

Cite this Entry

“Ecumenism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecumenism. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on ecumenism

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!