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

Shapiro appeared at synagogues and community events on Obama's behalf and convened a listening session for him with prominent Jewish leaders. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026

Weeks earlier, two Jewish worshippers were killed in an attack outside a synagogue in Manchester, northern England. —Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026

Hazzan Sarah Alexander joined Congregation Kol Emeth in June as spiritual leader of the Conservative synagogue. —Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026

Shalom Park houses several Jewish organizations and schools on its 54-acre, according to its website, in addition to two synagogues. —Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 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