congregation

noun

con·​gre·​ga·​tion ˌkäŋ-gri-ˈgā-shən 

1

a

: an assembly of persons : gathering

especially : an assembly of persons met for worship and religious instruction

b

: a religious community: such as

(1)

: an organized body of believers in a particular locality

The pastor delivered a lengthy sermon to the congregation.

(2)

: a Roman Catholic religious institute with only simple vows

a congregation of nuns

(3)

: a group of monasteries forming an independent subdivision of an order

2

: the act or an instance of congregating or bringing together : the state of being congregated

3

: a body of cardinals and officials forming an administrative division of the papal curia

Did you know?

The verb congregate may be used for spontaneous gatherings. A crowd quickly congregates at the scene of an accident, for example, just as cows, sheep, or horses tend to congregate during a storm. And under military rule, citizens are often forbidden to congregate on street corners or anywhere else. But a congregation is generally a group that has gathered for a formal purpose, usually in church. The Congregational Church was originally the church of the Puritan settlers, in which each congregation governed its own church independent of any higher authority.

Synonyms

• assembly
• church

Examples of congregation in a Sentence

The priest addressed the congregation.

She is a member of a small congregation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Separately, a parishioner of Burns’ congregation wrote to Murphy and Mayersohn in the summer of 2014 questioning the quality of his care. —Jake Pearson, ProPublica, 8 Aug. 2024

His churches hold sidewalk prayer sessions, sponsor food and clothing drives, and team with local business leaders and other church congregations to provide housing, financial support, and educational, recreational and workforce-development opportunities for nearby residents. —Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 31 July 2024

The first synagogue on the island was founded in 1651 by families from Amsterdam who had fled persecution in Spain and Portugal, and the congregation of Mikvé Israel-Emanuel currently holds its services in a building that was consecrated in 1732. —Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 28 July 2024

Now, Timm said, the process shifts to removal of fixtures and other artifacts from the 119-year-old building, some of which will be retained by the congregation. —Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 26 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

see congregate entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

congregation

noun

con·​gre·​ga·​tion ˌkäŋ-gri-ˈgā-shən 

1

: a gathering or collection of persons or things

2

a

: an assembly of persons gathered especially for religious worship

b

: the members of a church or synagogue