synagogue

noun

syn·​a·​gogue ˈsi-nə-ˌgäg 

variants or less commonly synagog

1

: a Jewish congregation

2

: the house of worship and communal center of a Jewish congregation

synagogal

ˌsi-nə-ˈgä-gəl 

adjective

Examples of synagogue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Family members wept as Schlanger’s coffin, draped in black velour bearing a gold Star of David, was wheeled into the synagogue. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025

Police presence has been increased around synagogues and Jewish institutions and Hanukkah events across the country have been canceled. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 15 Dec. 2025

Earlier this year, The New York Times reported that Australia severed ties with Iran and expelled its diplomats accusing the country of directing attacks against a Jewish business in Sydney and a Melbourne synagogue. —Michael Collins, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025

There were over 2,000 cases of Jewish people being attacked, their synagogues and cars set ablaze, and their homes and businesses graffitied in that time. —Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 14 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English synagoge, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin synagoga, from Greek synagōgē assembly, synagogue, from synagein to bring together, from syn- + agein to lead — more at agent

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for synagogue

• analog
• analogue
• catalogue
• decalogue
• demagogue
• dialogue
• epilogue
• homologue
• monologue
• pedagogue
• tagalog
• travelogue

Kids Definition

synagogue

noun

syn·​a·​gogue

variants also synagog

ˈsin-ə-ˌgäg 

1

: a Jewish congregation

2

: the house of worship of a Jewish congregation

Etymology

Middle English synagoge "a Jewish congregation," from early French synagoge (same meaning), from Latin synagoga (same meaning), from Greek synagōgē "synagogue, assembly," from synagein "to bring together," from syn- "together with" and agein "to lead" — related to synonymous