christendom

Everyday

1. (history, church) All the Christian people and Christian countries of the world, thought of together. tree →
2. (old) The parts of the world where Christianity was the main religion, especially Europe in the Middle Ages. tree →

In the lessons

In history and religion lessons: in the Middle Ages Europeans often thought of themselves as "Christendom", led by kings and the Church. In old stories "the finest in all Christendom" means the finest anywhere.

Examples

• In the Middle Ages, most of Europe was called Christendom. tree →
• The king wanted to be the richest ruler in Christendom. tree →
• Pilgrims came from all over Christendom. tree →
• It was the finest castle in all Christendom. tree →
• Christians believe they are one family across Christendom. tree →
• The crusades were wars between Christendom and Muslim lands. tree →
• You cannot be pope; there is only one pope in Christendom, and he cannot make you that.’ tree →

Note

Usually written with a capital C. Uncountable: no plural. Say: KRIS-en-dum (the t is silent). An old, grand word.