church

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noun

ˈchərch 

1

: a building for public and especially Christian worship

2

: the clergy or officialdom of a religious body

the word church … is put for the persons that are ordained for the ministry of the Gospel, that is to say, the clergy

—J. Ayliffe

3

often capitalized : a body or organization of religious believers: such as

a

: the whole body of Christians

the one church is the whole body gathered together from all ages

—J. H. Newman

b

: denomination

the Presbyterian church

c

: congregation

they had appointed elders for them in every church

—Acts 14:23 (Revised Standard Version)

4

: a public divine worship

goes to church every Sunday

5

: the clerical profession

considered the church as a possible career

church

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adjective

1

: of or relating to a church

church government

2

chiefly British : of or relating to the established church

church

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verb

churched; churching; churches

transitive verb

: to bring to church to receive one of its rites

Synonyms

Noun

• kirk [chiefly Scottish]
• tabernacle
• temple

Examples of church in a Sentence

Noun

This is the oldest church in town.

They would like to be married in a church.

I didn't see you at church last Sunday.

He is a member of the Catholic Church.

What church do you belong to?

the church's attitude toward divorce

the separation of church and state

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Greektown preserves its historic charm with historic buildings, churches, and landmarks that reflect the neighborhood’s rich past and architectural heritage. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 20 Apr. 2024

The church sued the city of Oakland in 2022 over a police raid that seized money and drugs, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. —Mallory Moench, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Adjective, and Verb

Middle English chirche, from Old English cirice, ultimately from Late Greek kyriakon, from Greek, neuter of kyriakos of the lord, from kyrios lord, master; akin to Sanskrit śūra hero, warrior

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing church

• anti-church
• church father
• church key
• church mode
• church register
• church school
• collegiate church
• established church
• federated church
• go to church
• inter-church
• non-church
• separation of church and state
• state church
• storefront church
• union church

Kids Definition

church

noun

ˈchərch

1

: a building for public worship and especially Christian worship

2

often capitalized : an organized body of religious believers

3

: public worship

churchly

-lē

adjective

Biographical Definition

Church

biographical name

ˈchərch 

Frederic Edwin 1826–1900 American painter