congregation
/ˌkɑŋɡɹəˈɡeɪʃən/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.82 in modern English
16
Scrabble Score
12
Letters
4
Syllables
9
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A gathering of faithful in a temple, church, synagogue, mosque or other place of worship, especially those present at a devotional service or who regularly attend such services, particularly in contrast to the leadership, choir or others.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A Roman Congregation, a main department of the Vatican administration of the Catholic Church.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A corporate body whose members gather for worship, or the members of such a body.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
The main body of university staff, comprising academics, administrative staff, heads of colleges, etc.
British usage; Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "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."
- "In Hebrew, bonai shalom means “builders of peace,” and the congregation welcomes both Jews and non-Jews to participate in all aspects of the community."
- "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 ."
- "Bald eagles gather in significant numbers along the middle Skagit during the winter to feed on migrating salmon. This congregation of eagles is reported to be the largest wintering group on the contiguous West Coast."
- ""Oh! I wasted most of my morning crawling to a murmuration of starlings, which I foolishly mistook for congregation of plover.""
- "I was excited to ramp up our cave-diving efforts, and to see my first big congregation of penguins."
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.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: congregacioun, congregacion, congregātiō
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌkɑŋɡɹəˈɡeɪʃən/
- British English: /ˌkɒŋɡɹɪˈɡeɪʃən/
Usage
- Countable
- Uncountable
- British usage