church
Pluralchurches
Pluralchurches
Formschurches, churching, churched
- 1A building where Christians meet to pray and worship together.
Like a special house just for praying together.
We walked past the old stone church on our way home.
The town has three churches and a small chapel.
UsageThe church is the building. Go to church means go to a service.
- 2A group of Christians who meet and worship together.
Like a club whose members all share the same beliefs.
Our church voted to welcome the new families.
The two churches share one pastor between them.
Similarcongregation, parish, flock
- 3One of the separate groups within Christianity, such as Catholics or Baptists.
Like different teams in the same sport, each with its own rules.
She grew up in the Methodist church.
These two churches differ on many points of belief.
Similardenomination, communion
- 4
- 5Religion seen as a powerful group that can shape laws and politics.
Like a government, but for religion.
For centuries the church held great power over kings and laws.
Many countries separated the church from the state.
UsageOften in church and state.
Similarclergy
Note
- 6All Christians everywhere, seen as one large community.
Like one big family made up of people from many countries.
The church has grown on every continent over the centuries.
Believers see the church as one family that crosses all borders.
SimilarChristendom
Less common meanings
- 7Any place of worship or religious group, even outside the Christian faith.
Like using 'home' for any place you feel you belong.
Our neighbors go to a small Buddhist church across town.
For these travelers, the mountainside shrine became their church.
- 8Said to show that you strongly agree with something.
Like saying "so true!" when you completely agree.
When she said the food was amazing, he nodded and said, "Church."
"Best concert ever." "Church!"
Similarpreach
Note
- 9To teach someone about religion, the way a church does.
Like raising a child to know right from wrong, but about faith.
I was churched as a child, so I still know the prayers.
Growing up, the boys were churched by their devout grandparents.
Similarcatechize, instruct, indoctrinate
- 10A meeting or gathering of people.
Note
- 11To hold a special church service for a new mother or a newly married couple.
Nor did it [the Church] accept that the woman should stay indoors until she had been churched.
1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of MagicHere, churched means given a special church service after giving birth.
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Origin
From Old English ċiriċe, borrowed early into Germanic from the Ancient Greek word kuriakón, meaning "belonging to the lord."
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts
- Church derives from Old English ċiriċe. en.wiktionary.org
- The word was borrowed early into Germanic from Ancient Greek kuriakón. en.wiktionary.org
- Kuriakón means belonging to the lord. en.wiktionary.org