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

Nazis wanted to deport Veria’s entire Jewish community, and Daniel and his father escaped from a synagogue after police blocked its entrance. — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

Its board was drawn from the same captains of industry—bankers, retailers, insurance men—who would have occupied such positions in any similar synagogue. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Ian MacAlpine/The Canadian Press via AP The suspect in a shooting outside a synagogue in Ontario, Canada, that critically injured a police officer has died, authorities said. — ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026

In a video geolocated by CNN which shows a neighborhood in Ontario close to the synagogue, police sirens and several loud gunshots can be heard ringing out. — Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

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