ENGLISH
REFERENCE

congregational

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˌkɑŋɡɹəˈɡeɪʃənəɫ// UK //kˌɒŋɡɹɪɡˈeɪʃənəl// con·gre·ga·tion·al

adj. relating to a group of people who meet for religious worship. It describes things that belong to or involve everyone in a church group rather than just the leaders.

adj. relating to a congregation, especially regarding the members of a local church. Often describes activities or governance involving the entire body of worshippers.


SIMPLE

The whole church joined in the congregational singing.

CONTEXTUAL

The board decided to hold a congregational vote to choose the new minister for the parish.

COMPLEX

While some traditions centralize authority in a single leader, this denomination follows a congregational model where local members maintain autonomy over their own financial and spiritual affairs.

Synonyms
Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun like 'singing', 'prayer', or 'meeting'.

© 2026 English Reference