Meaning & use
congregational
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Relating to a group of people who gather for worship, especially in a church.
Grammar: Used before a noun: congregational life, congregational meeting.
Patterns
- congregational + noun
The congregational meeting will be held after the service.
She enjoys the congregational singing at her church.
The new pastor wants to strengthen congregational life.
adjectivebefore a noun
Relating to a system of church government in which each local church governs itself.
Grammar: Often capitalized when referring to a specific denomination: Congregational church.
Patterns
- congregational + noun
The church follows a congregational system of governance.
Congregational churches make decisions locally.
He belongs to a Congregational denomination.
Common combinations
- congregational church
- They attend a congregational church downtown.
- congregational meeting
- The congregational meeting discussed the budget.
- congregational singing
- The service included congregational singing.
- congregational life
- She is active in congregational life.
Synonyms and how they differ
- parish
- Parish relates to a local church community, while congregational focuses on the gathered people or their governance.
Word family
- congregation noun
- A group of people gathered for worship.
- congregationalism noun
- The system of church governance where each congregation is independent.
- congregationalist noun
- A member of a Congregational church.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'congregational' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Congregational' is an adjective and modifies a noun like 'meeting'. The other options use it as a noun or verb, which is incorrect.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “congregational”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.