congregation

Noun

1. The act of congregating or collecting together.
2. A gathering of faithful in a temple, church, synagogue, mosque or other place of worship. It can also refer to the people who are present at a devotional service in the building, particularly in contrast to the pastor, minister, imam, rabbi etc. and/or choir, who may be seated apart from the general congregation or lead the service (notably in responsory form).
   • The critically low level of rainfall in the second half of 2020 – approaching 50% year on year for November – led the religious affairs directorate to instruct imams and their congregations to pray for rain last month....
   • In Hebrew, bonai shalom means “builders of peace,” and the congregation welcomes both Jews and non-Jews to participate in all aspects of the community. - 2025 June 4, Cindy Von Quednow, TuAnh Dam, “Their synagogue...

   Synonyms: flock fold congregation laity

3. A Roman Congregation, a main department of the Vatican administration of the Catholic Church.
4. A corporate body whose members gather for worship, or the members of such a body.
5. Any large gathering of people.
   • During the wedding ( usually held on a Saturday ) , you and your committee sit on " facing benches ” before the rest of the congregation ( your guests ) . Everyone worships silently until you two feel that it's time to...

   Coordinate Terms: congress

6. A flock of various birds, such as plovers or eagles.
   • "Oh! I wasted most of my morning crawling to a murmuration of starlings, which I foolishly mistook for congregation of plover." - 1893 September 27, The Bazaar, the Exchange and Mart, London, page 800, column 3:
7. The main body of university staff, comprising academics, administrative staff, heads of colleges, etc.