ecumenical

adjective

ec·​u·​men·​i·​cal ˌe-kyə-ˈme-ni-kəl 

-kyü-

1

a

: of, relating to, or representing the whole of a body of churches

an ecumenical service

b

: promoting or tending toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation

2

: worldwide or general in extent, influence, or application

an ecumenical perspective

ecumenically

ˌe-kyə-ˈme-ni-k(ə-)lē 

-kyü-

adverb

Examples of ecumenical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tabakis lightly strums and plucks over a glowing drone and chattering birds, offering an ecumenical introduction, a smiling welcome. — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 14 May 2026

James Reid, 49 and a lifelong Memphian, had been to the hotel many times before, including for annual ecumenical meetings. — Wendi C. Thomas, ProPublica, 3 Nov. 2025

The couple also aims to build ecumenical and interfaith ties, working with different communities to promote harmony and understanding between different faiths. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 27 Mar. 2026

The National Council of Churches, the largest ecumenical organization for mainline churches in the country, has warned about the dangers of Christian nationalism. — Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin oecumenicus, from Late Greek oikoumenikos, from Greek oikoumenē the inhabited world, from feminine of oikoumenos, present passive participle of oikein to inhabit, from oikos house — more at vicinity

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing ecumenical

• ecumenical patriarch

Rhymes for ecumenical

• oecumenical

Kids Definition

ecumenical

adjective

ec·​u·​men·​i·​cal ˌek-yə-ˈmen-i-kəl 

1

: worldwide or general in extent, influence, or application

2

: of, relating to, or representing the whole of a body of churches

3

: leading toward agreement or cooperation among Christians

ecumenically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Etymology

from Latin oecumenicus "worldwide," from Greek oikoumenē "the inhabited world," from oikein "to inhabit," from oikos "house"