church

Definition of churchnext
1
as in temple
a building for public worship and especially Christian worship a city that is noted for its many historic churches

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2
as in congregation
a body of persons gathered for religious worship spoke to the whole church at once

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3
as in clergy
the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church a time when few young men seem to want to join the church

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of church An off-duty officer at the church spotted the suspect immediately and, with help from officers who arrived within minutes, took him into custody. Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 The latest edition of the nomadic European biennial unfolds this year across four cities—Duisburg, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, and Bochum—with 12 historic churches hosting site-specific installations. Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 2 July 2026 Eddie, a mechanic, was also a deacon at the church, an usher and a member of the choir, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 The Vatican responded so aggressively in part because the group poses something of a threat by representing a parallel, ultra-Catholic, pre-Vatican II church that has grown in the decades since its original break from Rome. Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for church
Recent Examples of Synonyms for church
Noun
  • Supporters argue that the gatherings represent a form of devotion untethered from rigid rituals and the gatekeeping normally associated with temples or religious processions.
    Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • Still, many traditionalists don’t believe robotic elephants belong in temples.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • And at times members of the congregation thank her and others for casting aside those anxieties and keeping this place going.
    Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • The Zion Church is among the largest churches that are unregistered with the Chinese authorities, defying restrictions from the officially atheist Communist Party requiring believers to worship only in registered congregations.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • The agreement affects around 530 individuals who have filed abuse claims against current or former members of the city's Catholic clergy.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 June 2026
  • Few commoners could read Latin, which helped the clergy retain a monopoly on biblical interpretation.
    Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • In addition to over-water villas, the resort will feature an over-water chapel for weddings and plenty of futuristic amenities.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • They got married in August 2016 in Sin City, and renewed their vows at the same chapel in 2023.
    Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • According to a local outlet, the couple will marry at a cathedral in the billionaire’s hometown region of (Funchal) Madeira.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026
  • AmaSofia’s spring 2026 debut brings 31 departures, including Christmas Markets cruises, when festive decorations transform old towns and cathedrals.
    Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Built in 1892, the gospel tabernacle once was home to the Grand Ole Opry radio show from 1943 to 1974.
    USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
  • In the corner of one of Amsterdam's most elegant 17th-century canal houses, a cheetah leaps from an antique tabernacle.
    Karen Burshtein, Time, 12 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Church.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/church. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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