ecumenical

adjective ec·u·men·i·cal \ ˌe-kyə-ˈme-ni-kəl , -kyü- \

Updated on: 22 May 2018

Definition of ecumenical

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

b : promoting or tending toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation

2 : worldwide or general in extent, influence, or application

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ecumenically

play \ˌe-kyə-ˈme-ni-k(ə-)lē, -kyü-\ adverb

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Recent Examples of ecumenical from the Web

The festival resumes Sunday on the Chicago side of Wolf Lake with a Sunrise Worship service with an ecumenical choir directed by Mary Kuzniar and a color guard formed by Cub Scout Pack 733 of Annunciata Church.

— staff report, Daily Southtown, "Community news: New principal hired at Central Middle School," 17 May 2018
More formal or sweeping codifications of change in interpretation are generally done collectively, through ecumenical councils.

— tara isabella burton, Vox, "The conservative case against Pope Francis — and why it matters," 5 Apr. 2018
The Archdiocese of Baltimore plans to hold an interfaith and ecumenical prayer service in honor of King’s life at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.

— jonathan m. pitts, baltimoresun.com, "Interfaith, educational events in Baltimore to commemorate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. next week," 4 Apr. 2018
But as Graham's ecumenical approach evolved, so would his response to politics and politicians.

— david briggs, cleveland.com, "Billy Graham's 'uwavering message' was heard around the world, and in Cleveland (photos)," 21 Feb. 2018
On February 25th, however, the church’s main occupants—the Catholics, Greek Orthodox and Armenians—showed rare ecumenical unity.

— The Economist, "A dispute over real estate roils Jerusalem," 28 Feb. 2018
In truth, domestic abuse is what might be called an ecumenical crime, with no regard for gender, age, ethnicity, financial status or educational background.

— susan r. paisner | opinion, Anchorage Daily News, "Five myths about domestic violence," 24 Feb. 2018
He is haunted by a lifetime of encounters with savagery, some racist, some more ecumenical.

— richard lipez, The Seattle Times, "Walter Mosley brings us a new sleuth in ‘Down the River Unto the Sea’," 17 Feb. 2018
Mortgages were subsidized by donations from several West Side parishes along with wealthier suburban congregations that formed the Shared Ministry Cluster, an ecumenical group of 10 West Side churches.

— michael k. mcintyre, cleveland.com, "Remembering the Rev. Mark DiNardo, beloved pastor of St. Patrick Church on Bridge Avenue: Michael K. McIntyre," 26 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ecumenical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ecumenical

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1587

in the meaning defined at sense 2

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ECUMENICAL Defined for English Language Learners

ecumenical

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Definition of ecumenical for English Language Learners

: involving people from different kinds of Christian churches

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