Definition

Noun: 1. The act of gathering or assembling people or things: The action of coming together into a group. 2. A group of people, animals, or things gathered together: An assembly or collection. 3. A group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a particular church or place of worship: Specifically, the members of a church or religious community who regularly worship together.

Usage and Examples

• As an act (Definition 1):
  • The congregation of so many fans outside the stadium caused traffic delays.
  • Laws may regulate the congregation of people in public spaces.
• As an assembled group (Definition 2):
  • A large congregation of journalists waited for the press conference to begin.
  • We observed a congregation of seals on the rocky shore.
• As a religious assembly (Definition 3):
  • The pastor addressed the congregation during Sunday service.
  • She is a devoted member of the local church congregation.

Advanced Usage

• "To address the congregation": To speak formally to the assembled members of a church.
  • The bishop traveled to the small village to address the congregation.
• Capitalized 'Congregation': Can refer to specific administrative bodies within the Roman Catholic Church, such as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
  • The matter was referred to the relevant Congregation in Rome.

Variants and Related Words

• Congregate (verb): To gather or assemble into a group.
  • People began to congregate in the town square.
• Congregational (adjective): Relating to a congregation.
  • Congregational singing is an important part of their worship.
• Congregationalism (noun): A system of church organization in which each local church is self-governing.

Synonyms

• Assembly: A group of people gathered together, often for a specific purpose.
• Gathering: A coming together of people.
• Flock: Often used for a group of people under the guidance of a leader, especially in a religious context (e.g., a pastor and his flock).
• Fellowship: A group of people sharing common interests, beliefs, or goals, often with a friendly feeling.

Antonyms

• Dispersion: The action or process of distributing things or people over a wide area.
• Scattering: The act of moving or causing to move in different directions.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Preach to the congregation": Literally, to deliver a sermon to the church members. Figuratively, it can mean to speak to people who already agree with you.
  • By only talking about environmental policy at an eco-conference, he was just preaching to the congregation.

Noun

1. the act of congregating
2. an assemblage of people or animals or things collected together
   • a congregation of children pleaded for his autograph
   • a great congregation of birds flew over
3. a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church