church

church

noun

Definition of CHURCH

1

a building for public worship and especially Christian worship <a city that is noted for its many historic churches>

Synonyms kirk [chiefly Scottish], tabernacle, temple

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

2

a body of persons gathered for religious worship <spoke to the whole church at once>

Synonyms assembly, church

Related Words flock, laity, parish; communion, confession, denomination, fold, sect

3

the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church <a time when few young men seem to want to join the church>

Synonyms church, cloth, first estate, ministry, spirituality, spiritualty

Related Words diaconate, episcopate, hierarchy, presbytery; clerkship, monkhood, priesthood

Antonyms laity