church

1 a building for public worship and especially Christian worship a city that is noted for its many historic churches Synonyms kirk [chiefly Scottish], tabernacle, temple Related Words abbey, bethel, cathedral, chapel, minster, mission, oratory, sanctuary, shrine; meetinghouse; mosque, pagoda, shul, synagogue (also synagog)

2 a body of persons gathered for religious worship spoke to the whole church at once Synonyms assembly, congregationRelated Words flock, laity, parish; communion, confession, denomination, fold, sect

3 the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church a time when few young men seem to want to join the church Synonyms clergy, cloth, first estate, ministry, spirituality, spiritualtyRelated Words diaconate, episcopate, hierarchy, presbytery; clerkship, monkhood, priesthoodAntonyms laity