synagogue

noun

syn·​a·​gogue ˈsi-nə-ˌgäg How to pronounce synagogue (audio)
variants or less commonly synagog
1
: a Jewish congregation
2
: the house of worship and communal center of a Jewish congregation
synagogal adjective

Examples of synagogue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Rosalyn Gross Rosenthal, whose generosity touched many facets of Fort Worth, from the arts to her synagogue, died at her home on Wednesday. Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2024 And at a synagogue attended by some of the most observant Jews in the country, members devoted a Torah scroll in memory of a soldier slain in Gaza. Natan Odenheimer, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Wrapping Up By taking a proactive approach in these areas, churches, mosques and synagogues can make a substantial difference in the college-going culture of their communities. Sydney Montgomery, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 In October, The Jewish Chronicle reported a synagogue in Barcelona canceled events. Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2024 In his absence, worshipers at a nearby ultra-Orthodox synagogue had dedicated a Torah to a soldier killed during the invasion of Gaza — something that would have been unthinkable before the war. Natan Odenheimer, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 What Is Hat Etiquette for Men? Historically, men's hat etiquette has designated that all hats should be removed upon entering indoors, which includes houses of worship (unless customary otherwise, like at Jewish synagogues), public buildings, and private homes, especially at mealtimes. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2024 The messages included violent antisemitic remarks calling for the extermination of Jews, celebrating synagogue shootings and denying the Holocaust. Isabela Espadas Barros Leal, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2024 The claim: Old mattresses and booster seats were found in tunnels beneath New York City synagogue A Jan. 10 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) shows a screenshot of a post on X, formerly Twitter, by the same user about a tunnel discovered in New York. Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'synagogue.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English synagoge, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin synagoga, from Greek synagōgē assembly, synagogue, from synagein to bring together, from syn- + agein to lead — more at agent

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of synagogue was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near synagogue

Cite this Entry

“Synagogue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synagogue. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

synagogue

noun
syn·​a·​gogue
variants also synagog
1
: a Jewish congregation
2
: the house of worship of a Jewish congregation
Etymology

Middle English synagoge "a Jewish congregation," from early French synagoge (same meaning), from Latin synagoga (same meaning), from Greek synagōgē "synagogue, assembly," from synagein "to bring together," from syn- "together with" and agein "to lead" — related to synonymous

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