Definition of congregation
1a : an assembly of persons : gathering; especially : an assembly of persons met for worship and religious instructionb : a religious community: such as (1) : an organized body of believers in a particular locality The pastor delivered a lengthy sermon to the congregation. (2) : a Roman Catholic religious institute with only simple vows a congregation of nuns (3) : a group of monasteries forming an independent subdivision of an order
2 : the act or an instance of congregating or bringing together : the state of being congregated
3 : a body of cardinals and officials forming an administrative division of the papal curia
From the M-W Editors
Examples of congregation in a Sentence
The priest addressed the congregation.
She is a member of a small congregation.
Recent Examples of congregation from the Web
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Under Jane Whaley’s leadership, Word of Faith Fellowship grew from a handful of followers to a 750-member congregation in North Carolina, and another nearly 2,000 members in churches in Brazil and Ghana.
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Teddy said the congregation gave Fenner routine prayer that lasted no longer than 15 to 20 minutes.
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During opening statements, Teddy said the congregation gave Fenner routine prayer that lasted no longer than 15 to 20 minutes.
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The congregation will get to attend its first service back in the building on June 11, three days after Wright’s birthday, and a ribbon cutting and open house is planned for June 17.
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The congregation peaked around 60, but has dwindled in recent years.
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Daniel Crimmins, president of Unity Temple's board of trustees, said the congregation raised an additional $1.75 million.
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Calvary, one of the city’s largest and best known suburban congregations, offers preschool or daycare for about 850 students at its campus along N.C. 51.
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Willard Park and Perk Plaza, northeast of Quicken, will be protest, congregation, and public art zones.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'congregation'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
The verb congregate may be used for spontaneous gatherings. A crowd quickly congregates at the scene of an accident, for example, just as cows, sheep, or horses tend to congregate during a storm. And under military rule, citizens are often forbidden to congregate on street corners or anywhere else. But a congregation is generally a group that has gathered for a formal purpose, usually in church. The Congregational Church was originally the church of the Puritan settlers, in which each congregation governed its own church independent of any higher authority.
Origin and Etymology of congregation
see 1congregate
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Christian Religious Terms
CONGREGATION Defined for English Language Learners
congregation
playDefinition of congregation for English Language Learners
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: the people who are attending a religious service
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: the people who regularly attend religious services
CONGREGATION Defined for Kids
congregation
playDefinition of congregation for Students
1 : an assembly of persons gathered for religious worship
2 : a gathering or collection of people or things
3 : the membership of a church or synagogue
Learn More about congregation
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See words that rhyme with congregation Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for congregation Spanish Central: Translation of congregation Nglish: Translation of congregation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of congregation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about congregation
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