church

¹church

noun \ˈchərch\

Definition of CHURCH

1

: a building for public and especially Christian worship

2

: the clergy or officialdom of a religious body

3

often capitalized : a body or organization of religious believers: as

a : the whole body of Christians

b : denomination <the Presbyterian church>

c : congregation

4

: a public divine worship <goes to church every Sunday>

5

: the clerical profession <considered the church as a possible career>

Examples of CHURCH

1. This is the oldest church in town.
2. They would like to be married in a church.
3. I didn't see you at church last Sunday.
4. He is a member of the Catholic Church.
5. What church do you belong to?
6. the church's attitude toward divorce
7. the separation of church and state

Origin of CHURCH

Middle English chirche, from Old English cirice, ultimately from Late Greek kyriakon, from Greek, neuter of kyriakos of the lord, from kyrios lord, master; akin to Sanskrit śūra hero, warrior

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to CHURCH

Synonyms

kirk [chiefly Scottish], tabernacle, temple

Antonyms

laity

Related Words

abbey, bethel, cathedral, chapel, minster, mission, oratory, sanctuary, shrine; meetinghouse; mosque, pagoda, shul, synagogue (also synagog)

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

Rhymes with CHURCH

birch, Church, curch, lurch, merch, perch, search, smirch

²church

adjective

Definition of CHURCH

1

: of or relating to a church <church government>

2

chiefly British : of or relating to the established church

First Known Use of CHURCH

before 12th century

³church

transitive verb

Definition of CHURCH

: to bring to church to receive one of its rites

First Known Use of CHURCH

14th century

Church

biographical name \ˈchərch\

Definition of CHURCH

Frederic Edwin 1826–1900 Am. painter

Rhymes with CHURCH

birch, church, curch, lurch, merch, perch, search, smirch