ENGLISH
REFERENCE

congregation

n.
US //ˌkɑŋɡɹəˈɡeɪʃən// UK //kˌɒŋɡɹɪɡˈeɪʃən// con·gre·ga·tion
  1. 1 religious gathering (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Religion

    the group of people who attend a religious service at a place of worship.

    the body of people assembled for a religious service, often distinguished from the clergy or choir.

    Example

    The minister stood at the front of the church and addressed the congregation.

    Example

    After the final hymn, the congregation remained seated in silence for a few moments of private reflection before exiting the cathedral.
  2. 2 a religious group (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Religion

    a specific group of people who belong to the same local church or religious community.

    a permanent organized body of believers who constitute a local church or religious community.

    Example

    Our congregation is raising money to repair the roof of the community centre.

    Example

    The local congregation has grown significantly over the last decade, necessitating the construction of a larger assembly hall.
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  1. 3 general gathering (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a large group of people or animals that have gathered in one place.

    the act of collecting into a crowd or mass; a large gathering of people or animals.

    Example

    The park saw a large congregation of protesters on Saturday morning.

    Example

    Biologists observed a massive congregation of eagles near the river, drawn by the unusually high salmon population this season.
  2. 4 university body (n.)
    C2 Proficiency British English Formal

    the main group of staff and teachers who make decisions at some universities.

    the formal legislative or assembly body of a university, typically comprising senior academic and administrative staff.

    Example

    The new policy was debated during the meeting of the university congregation.

    Example

    The Vice-Chancellor presided over the congregation, where the faculty voted on the proposed changes to the degree requirements.
Origin

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.

Word family

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