What does "congregation" mean?
The act of congregating or collecting together.
Congregation
/ˌkɒŋɡɹɪˈɡeɪʃən/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of congregating or collecting together.
- Grammar: congregation is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: church, assemblies, assembling, assembly.
- Useful contrasts: disgregation, dispersal, dispersion.
- Usage evidence: The church congregation was moved by the fine sermon.
How to use "congregation"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "congregation" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "congregation" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "congregation" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "congregation" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "congregation" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "church" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "congregation", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of congregating or collecting together. countable, uncountable
- 2 the act of congregating wordnet
- 3 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). countable, uncountable
"The critically low level of rainfall in the second half of 2020 – approaching 50% year on year for November – led the religious affairs directorate to instruct imams and their congregations to pray for rain last month."
- 4 an assemblage of people or animals or things collected together wordnet
- 5 A Roman Congregation, a main department of the Vatican administration of the Catholic Church. countable, uncountable
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church wordnet
- 7 A corporate body whose members gather for worship, or the members of such a body. countable, uncountable
- 8 Any large gathering of people. countable, uncountable
"During the wedding ( usually held on a Saturday ) , you and your committee sit on " facing benches ” before the rest of the congregation ( your guests ) . Everyone worships silently until you two feel that it's time to say your vows ."
- 9 A flock of various birds, such as plovers or eagles. countable, uncountable
""Oh! I wasted most of my morning crawling to a murmuration of starlings, which I foolishly mistook for congregation of plover.""
- 10 The main body of university staff, comprising academics, administrative staff, heads of colleges, etc. UK, countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The church congregation was moved by the fine sermon."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "congregation"?
Common synonyms include: church, assemblies, assembling, assembly, assignation, at home.
How do you use "congregation" in a sentence?
The church congregation was moved by the fine sermon.
How do you pronounce "congregation"?
Pronounced /ˌkɒŋɡɹɪˈɡeɪʃən/.
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. By surface analysis, congregate + -ion.