Main Entry: syn·od

Pronunciation: \ˈsi-nəd also -ˌnäd\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English sinod, from Late Latin synodus, from Late Greek synodos, from Greek, meeting, assembly, from syn- + hodos way, journey

Date: 14th century

1 : an ecclesiastical governing or advisory council: as a : an assembly of bishops in the Roman Catholic Church b : the governing assembly of an Episcopal province c : a Presbyterian governing body ranking between the presbytery and the general assembly d : a regional or national organization of Lutheran congregations
2 : the ecclesiastical district governed by a synod

— syn·od·al \ˈsi-nə-d^əl, -ˌnä-; sə-ˈnä-d^əl\ adjective