church

church (chûrch)

1. A building for public, especially Christian worship.

2. often Church

a. The company of all Christians regarded as a spiritual body.

b. A specified Christian denomination: the Presbyterian Church.

c. A congregation.

3. Public divine worship in a church; a religious service: goes to church at Christmas and Easter.

4. The clerical profession; clergy.

5. Ecclesiastical power as distinguished from the secular: the separation of church and state.

tr.v. churched, church·ing, church·es

To conduct a church service for, especially to perform a religious service for (a woman after childbirth).

adj.

Of or relating to the church; ecclesiastical.

[Middle English chirche, from Old English cirice, ultimately from Medieval Greek krikon, from Late Greek kriakon (dma), the Lord's (house), neuter of Greek kriakos, of the lord, from krios, lord; see keu- in Indo-European roots.]

church

Noun

1. a building for public Christian worship

2. religious services held in a church

3. a particular Christian denomination

4. Christians collectively

5. the clergy as distinguished from the laity

6. Church institutional religion as a political or social force: conflict between Church and State [Greek kuriakon (dōma) the Lord's (house)]

Church

See also christianity; religion

collegialism

the belief that the church as an organization is independent of and equal to the state, with its highest authority lying in its collective membership.

diaconate

the rank or office of a deacon.

ecclesiarch

Eastern Church. sacristan.

ecclesiasticism

an excessive adherence to the doctrines and practices of the church. — ecclesiastic, n., adj. — ecclesiastical, adj.

ecclesioclasticism

Rare. an opposition to the church.

ecclesiography

a descriptive study of the church. — ecclesiographer, n. — ecclesiographic, ecclesiographical, adj.

ecclesiolatry

an intense devotion to church forms, authority, and traditions.

ecclesiology

1. the study of church building and decoration.
2. Theology. the doctrine of the church.
3. the policy and operations of the church. — ecclesiologist, n. — ecclesiologic, ecclesiological, adj.

ecclesiophobia

an abnormal fear or dislike of the church.

festilogy

a dissertation on church festivals.

hieromania

a mania for priests.

lectionary

a list of the lections, or texts, to be read in church services through-out the canonical year.

nonage

formerly, a ninth part of a parishioner’s movable property, which was claimed upon his death by the clergy in England. See also law.

precentor

a person who leads a church choir or congregation in singing.

sacrist, sacristan

an official or cleric appointed curator of the vestments, sacred vessels, and relies of a religious body, church, or cathedral.

simonism, simony

the sin or offense of selling or granting for personal advantage church appointments, benefices, preferments, etc. — simoniac, simonist, n.

spoliation

Church Law. the taking of property by an incumbent upon resignation or any other departure. See also ships; theft; war.

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	church - one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship Christian church organized religion, religion, faith - an institution to express belief in a divine power; "he was raised in the Baptist religion"; "a member of his own faith contradicted him" Christendom, Christianity - the collective body of Christians throughout the world and history (found predominantly in Europe and the Americas and Australia); "for a thousand years the Roman Catholic Church was the principal church of Christendom" Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, Armenian Church - an independent Christian church established in Armenia since 300; was influenced by both Roman and Byzantine traditions Catholic Church - any of several churches claiming to have maintained historical continuity with the original Christian Church Nestorian Church - a Christian Church in the Middle East that followed Nestorianism; there is still a small Nestorian Church in Iraq Coptic Church - the ancient Christian church of Egypt Protestant Church, Protestant - the Protestant churches and denominations collectively Unification Church - a Christian church (with some Buddhist elements) founded in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon and known for staging mass weddings and other communal activities Christian - a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination
	2.	church - a place for public (especially Christian) worship; "the church was empty" church building church service, church - a service conducted in a house of worship; "don't be late for church" abbey - a church associated with a monastery or convent amen corner - area reserved for persons leading the responsive `amens' apse, apsis - a domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar basilica - an early Christian church designed like a Roman basilica; or a Roman Catholic church or cathedral accorded certain privileges; "the church was raised to the rank of basilica" cathedral - any large and important church duomo, cathedral - the principal Christian church building of a bishop's diocese bema, chancel, sanctuary - area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing church tower - the tower of a church kirk - a Scottish church lady chapel - a small chapel in a church; dedicated to the Virgin Mary narthex - a vestibule leading to the nave of a church nave - the central area of a church house of God, house of prayer, house of worship, place of worship - any building where congregations gather for prayer presbytery - building reserved for the officiating clergy rood screen - a screen in a church; separates the nave from the choir or chancel side chapel - a small chapel off the side aisle of a church transept - structure forming the transverse part of a cruciform church; crosses the nave at right angles sacristy, vestry - a room in a church where sacred vessels and vestments are kept or meetings are held
	3.	church - a service conducted in a house of worship; "don't be late for church" church service divine service, religious service, service - the act of public worship following prescribed rules; "the Sunday service" Divine Office - canonical prayers recited daily by priests (e.g. the breviary of the Roman Catholic Church) church building, church - a place for public (especially Christian) worship; "the church was empty" church bell - a bell in a church tower (usually sounded to summon people to church); "church bells were ringing all over town" crypt - a cellar or vault or underground burial chamber (especially beneath a church) hassock - a cushion for kneeling on (as when praying in church) spire, steeple - a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top Puritanism - the beliefs and practices characteristic of Puritans (most of whom were Calvinists who wished to purify the Church of England of its Catholic aspects) banns - a public announcement of a proposed marriage preaching, sermon, discourse - an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service) Anglican Church, Anglican Communion, Church of England - the national church of England (and all other churches in other countries that share its beliefs); has its see in Canterbury and the sovereign as its temporal head High Anglican Church, High Church - a group in the Anglican Church that emphasizes the Catholic tradition (especially in sacraments and rituals and obedience to church authority) separationist, separatist - an advocate of secession or separation from a larger group (such as an established church or a national union) disestablish - deprive (an established church) of its status attend, go to - be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.; "She attends class regularly"; "I rarely attend services at my church"; "did you go to the meeting?"
	4.	church - the body of people who attend or belong to a particular local church; "our church is hosting a picnic next week" body - a group of persons associated by some common tie or occupation and regarded as an entity; "the whole body filed out of the auditorium"; "the student body"; "administrative body" Christendom, Christianity - the collective body of Christians throughout the world and history (found predominantly in Europe and the Americas and Australia); "for a thousand years the Roman Catholic Church was the principal church of Christendom"
Verb	1.	church - perform a special church rite or service for; "church a woman after childbirth" perform - perform a function; "Who will perform the wedding?"