Copy Citation
Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?
TAKE THE QUIZ1
: a building for public and especially Christian worship
2
: the clergy or officialdom of a religious body
the word church … is put for the persons that are ordained for the ministry of the Gospel, that is to say, the clergy—
J. Ayliffe
J. Ayliffe3
often capitalized
: a body or organization of religious believers: such as
a
: the whole body of Christians
the one church is the whole body gathered together from all ages—J. H. Newman
J. H. Newman
b
: denomination
the Presbyterian church
c
: congregation
they had appointed elders for them in every church—Acts 14:23 (Revised Standard Version)
Acts 14:23 (Revised Standard Version)4
: a public divine worship
goes to church every Sunday
5
: the clerical profession
considered the church as a possible career
1
: of or relating to a church
church government
2
chiefly British
: of or relating to the established church
churched; churching; churches
: to bring to church to receive one of its rites
Example Sentences
Noun
This is the oldest church in town.
They would like to be married in a church.
I didn't see you at church last Sunday.
He is a member of the Catholic Church.
What church do you belong to?
the church's attitude toward divorce
the separation of church and state
See More
Recent Examples on the WebCaroline Catherman, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2023
Relations between the church and Ortega’s government have been deteriorating since 2018, when Nicaraguan authorities violently repressed anti-government protests.
—Nicole Winfield And Gabriela Selser, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2023
Try making connections in your area through a church or an adult sports league.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 17 Mar. 2023
Try making connections in your area through a church or an adult sports league.
—Annie Lane, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Mar. 2023
That pathway reached its terminus on March 10, when the Synodal Way approved a series of resolutions that would fundamentally alter the structure of authority in the German church by circumscribing the bishops’ governing power.
—George Weigel, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2023
These acts further erode his already tenuous position, prompting church leaders to rebuke him, and decorated generals to question his fitness for office.
—Keeanga-yamahtta Taylor, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2023
His mother believes that the values that were instilled at home and church may have waned at one time but kicked back when Eric needed to rely on faith.
—Courtland Milloy, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023
The plaza was renamed Harriet Tubman Square as a nod to the Underground Railroad station in a Newark church.
—Molly Enking, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2023
Felicia Fonseca, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2022
Bateman lived in Colorado City among a patchwork of devout members of the polygamous FLDS, ex-church members and those who don't practice the beliefs.
—Felicia Fonseca, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2022
Bateman lived in Colorado City among a patchwork of devout members of the polygamous FLDS, ex-church members and those who don't practice the beliefs.
—Felicia Fonseca, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2022
To be coarse about the main difference is that there are relatively few religious liberals within the working class, and proportionally fewer orthodox non-church-goers among the middle class.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2012
Bateman lived in Colorado City among a patchwork of devout members of the polygamous FLDS, ex-church members and those who don't practice the beliefs.
—Felicia Fonseca, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2022
Bateman lived in Colorado City among a patchwork of devout members of the polygamous FLDS, ex-church members and those who don't practice the beliefs.
—Felicia Fonseca, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2022
Bateman lived in Colorado City among a patchwork of devout members of the polygamous FLDS, ex-church members and those who don't practice the beliefs.
—Felicia Fonseca, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2022
Bateman lived in Colorado City among a patchwork of devout members of the polygamous FLDS, ex-church members and those who don’t practice the beliefs.
—Felicia Fonseca, Chicago Tribune, 7 Dec. 2022
Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 5 Feb. 2023
With the capacity of some species to transovarially transmit disease to their offspring, a single tick can church out thousands of disease vectors.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2011
Could church leaders somehow sense the divine feminine reawakening?
—Cassady Rosenblum, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2022
Could church leaders do a better job of helping people feel more comfortable in their bodies?
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 June 2022
In addition, his friend, John Vino, takes him to church several times a week and out to lunch.
—Deirdre Reilly, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2022
The girl’s grandmother, Deborah, and grandfather, Keith, took separate cars to church that day.
—Guillermo Contreras, San Antonio Express-News, 13 Oct. 2021
An otherwise conventional and so-so musical drama about two formative decades in Aretha Franklin's life gets lifted every time Hudson hits the screen, belts out a number and takes you to church as the legendary soul singer.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2021
El Paso Baptist Association volunteers deliver boxes of food to church representatives in Texas in 2020.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2021
See More
Noun
Within the last 10 to 15 years, church leaders, particularly in minority communities, have increasingly used parts of their budgets to share health resources and even create dedicated health ministries after observing health inequities, Riley said.
—Caroline Catherman, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2023
Relations between the church and Ortega’s government have been deteriorating since 2018, when Nicaraguan authorities violently repressed anti-government protests.
—Nicole Winfield And Gabriela Selser, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2023
Try making connections in your area through a church or an adult sports league.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 17 Mar. 2023
Try making connections in your area through a church or an adult sports league.
—Annie Lane, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Mar. 2023
That pathway reached its terminus on March 10, when the Synodal Way approved a series of resolutions that would fundamentally alter the structure of authority in the German church by circumscribing the bishops’ governing power.
—George Weigel, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2023
These acts further erode his already tenuous position, prompting church leaders to rebuke him, and decorated generals to question his fitness for office.
—Keeanga-yamahtta Taylor, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2023
His mother believes that the values that were instilled at home and church may have waned at one time but kicked back when Eric needed to rely on faith.
—Courtland Milloy, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023
The plaza was renamed Harriet Tubman Square as a nod to the Underground Railroad station in a Newark church.
—Molly Enking, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2023
Adjective
Bateman lived in Colorado City among a patchwork of devout members of the polygamous FLDS, ex-church members and those who don't practice the beliefs.
—Felicia Fonseca, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2022
Bateman lived in Colorado City among a patchwork of devout members of the polygamous FLDS, ex-church members and those who don't practice the beliefs.
—Felicia Fonseca, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2022
Bateman lived in Colorado City among a patchwork of devout members of the polygamous FLDS, ex-church members and those who don't practice the beliefs.
—Felicia Fonseca, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2022
To be coarse about the main difference is that there are relatively few religious liberals within the working class, and proportionally fewer orthodox non-church-goers among the middle class.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2012
Bateman lived in Colorado City among a patchwork of devout members of the polygamous FLDS, ex-church members and those who don't practice the beliefs.
—Felicia Fonseca, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2022
Bateman lived in Colorado City among a patchwork of devout members of the polygamous FLDS, ex-church members and those who don't practice the beliefs.
—Felicia Fonseca, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2022
Bateman lived in Colorado City among a patchwork of devout members of the polygamous FLDS, ex-church members and those who don't practice the beliefs.
—Felicia Fonseca, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2022
Bateman lived in Colorado City among a patchwork of devout members of the polygamous FLDS, ex-church members and those who don’t practice the beliefs.
—Felicia Fonseca, Chicago Tribune, 7 Dec. 2022
Verb
Lizzo was ready to take attendees at the 65th annual Grammy Awards to church on Sunday (Feb. 5).
—Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 5 Feb. 2023
With the capacity of some species to transovarially transmit disease to their offspring, a single tick can church out thousands of disease vectors.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2011
Could church leaders somehow sense the divine feminine reawakening?
—Cassady Rosenblum, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2022
Could church leaders do a better job of helping people feel more comfortable in their bodies?
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 June 2022
In addition, his friend, John Vino, takes him to church several times a week and out to lunch.
—Deirdre Reilly, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2022
The girl’s grandmother, Deborah, and grandfather, Keith, took separate cars to church that day.
—Guillermo Contreras, San Antonio Express-News, 13 Oct. 2021
An otherwise conventional and so-so musical drama about two formative decades in Aretha Franklin's life gets lifted every time Hudson hits the screen, belts out a number and takes you to church as the legendary soul singer.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2021
El Paso Baptist Association volunteers deliver boxes of food to church representatives in Texas in 2020.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'church.' 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
Noun, Adjective, and Verb
Middle English chirche, from Old English cirice, ultimately from Late Greek kyriakon, from Greek, neuter of kyriakos of the lord, from kyrios lord, master; akin to Sanskrit śūra hero, warrior
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of church was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing church
Dictionary Entries Near church
Cite this Entry
“Church.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/church. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
church
nounˈchərch
1
: a building for public worship and especially Christian worship
2
often capitalized
: an organized body of religious believers
3
: public worship
churchly
adjective
-lē
Biographical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on church
Nglish: Translation of church for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of church for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about church
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
-
- Before we went to her house, Hannah told us her aunt was a flibbertigibbet.
Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?
PLAY
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Name That Flower
Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
Take the quiz
-
Are You Feeling Lucky?
A charming quiz about fortunate and unfortunate w...
Take the quiz
-
Spell It
Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get...
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share