ecumenical

ec·u·men·i·cal | \ ˌe-kyə-ˈme-ni-kəl

How to pronounce ecumenical (audio)

, -kyü- \

Definition of ecumenical

1a : 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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Examples of ecumenical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web These ecumenical scholars claim that divergent interpretations demonstrate that meaning is produced by each individual's subjective experience with the text. — Ron Charles, Washington Post, "In the impeachment spin wars, only the English majors can save us," 12 Dec. 2019 The origins of the split over when to officially recognize the birth of Jesus Christ stretch back all the way to A.D. 325, when a group of Christian bishops convened the religion’s first ecumenical conference. — Erin Blakemore, National Geographic, "Why some people celebrate Christmas in January," 26 Dec. 2019 The first woman elected as bishop of the Oregon division of the Lutheran church took the reins Saturday at an ecumenical worship service held in Portland’s Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. — oregonlive, "First woman bishop of Oregon’s division of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America welcomed," 14 Dec. 2019 The day began with an ecumenical prayer service at First Christian Church in Frankfort. — Deborah Yetter, The Courier-Journal, "Teachers front and center in celebration of new Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear," 11 Dec. 2019 The school was created as an ecumenical school, inclusive of all faith traditions. — Brian Albrecht, cleveland, "Urban Community School beat the odds to become a beacon for low-income students: Cleveland Champions," 1 Dec. 2019 An ecumenical community Thanksgiving service, sponsored by the Park Ridge Ministerial Association, will take place Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Park Ridge Community Church, 100 S. Courtland, Park Ridge. — Jennifer Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "What’s happening in Park Ridge: Volunteers sought for Blanket of Dreams; food drive, Toys for Tots launched," 18 Nov. 2019 West is ecumenical: He was married by a Pentecostal minister, while his wife and his children have been baptized in the Armenian Orthodox Church (at the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, in Vagharshapat, Armenia). — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, "The Gospel According to Kanye," 7 Nov. 2019 The most comprehensive and widely shared statement of Christian orthodoxy is found in the creed first adopted at an ecumenical council convened by Constantine in the city of Nicaea in 325 a.d. — Christopher Beha, Harper's magazine, "How to Read the Bible," 28 Oct. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

27 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Ecumenical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecumenical. Accessed 1 Apr. 2020.

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