Definition of CONGREGATION

congregation

Meanings

Plural: congregations

Noun

  • a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church
  • an assemblage of people or animals or things collected together
    • "a congregation of children pleaded for his autograph"
    • "a great congregation of birds flew over"
  • the act of congregating
  • The act of congregating or collecting together.
  • A gathering of faithful in a temple, church, synagogue, mosque or other place of worship. It can also refer to the people who are present at a devotional service in the building, particularly in contrast to the pastor, minister, imam, rabbi etc. and/or choir, who may be seated apart from the general congregation or lead the service (notably in responsory form).
  • A Roman Congregation, a main department of the Vatican administration of the Catholic Church.
  • A corporate body whose members gather for worship, or the members of such a body.
  • Any large gathering of people.
  • A flock of various birds, such as plovers or eagles.
  • The main body of university staff, comprising academics, administrative staff, heads of colleges, etc.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English congregacioun, from Old French congregacion, from Latin congregātiō, itself from congregō (“to herd into a flock”). Adopted (1520s) by the English Bible translator William Tyndale, to render the Ancient Greek ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, “those called together, (popular) meeting”) (hence Latin ecclēsia) in his New Testament, and preferred by 16th century Reformers instead of church.

Scrabble Score: 16

congregation is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
congregation is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
congregation is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 21

congregation is a valid Words With Friends word