congregation

Everyday

1. (church) A congregation is the group of people gathered in a church, synagogue or mosque for worship. tree →
2. The members of a particular church or religious community. tree →
3. (formal) Any gathering of people or animals. tree →

In the lessons

In religious education the congregation sings, prays and listens to the sermon; the priest or minister leads them. In everyday life the word is used for members of a local church. Phrases: «the congregation stood», «a large congregation», «a congregation of birds» (rare).

Examples

• The congregation sang a hymn together. tree →
• The vicar welcomed the congregation. tree →
• Our church has a small but friendly congregation. tree →
• The rabbi spoke to the congregation in the synagogue. tree →
• The congregation stood up when the bride came in. tree →
• The whole congregation said «Amen». tree →
• A congregation of seagulls gathered on the beach. tree →
• The congregation sat in cushioned seats, and sang out of their Prayer-Books. tree →

Note

Countable: congregations. In British English it can take a plural verb («the congregation were singing»). Related: congregate (to gather).

In Jewish tradition

The congregation is Israel as a nation, which acts together, hears the law and is judged together. Jeremiah even calls on the nations and the congregation to listen.

Interpretation. Hebrew edah and kahal are translated this way. The tradition takes it as a sign that Israel is bound as one people, and later a minyan of ten adults is called a congregation for prayer.

Examples

• All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. (Torah EXO.12.47, JPS 1917) tree →
• Moses commanded us a law, an inheritance of the congregation of Jacob. (Torah DEU.33.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• and assemble thou all the congregation at the door of the tent of meeting.' (Torah LEV.8.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• And all the congregation murmured against the princes. (Prophets JOS.9.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is against them. (Prophets JER.6.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore, (Writings EZR.2.64, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: congregations. In British English it can take a plural verb («the congregation were singing»). Related: congregate (to gather).