[syn.od] n [ME sinod, fr. LL synodus, fr. LGk synodos, fr. Gk, meeting, assembly, fr. syn- + hodos way, journey] (14c) 1: an ecclesiastical governing or advisory council: as a: the governing assembly of an Episcopal province b: a Presbyterian governing body ranking between the presbytery and the general assembly c: a regional or national organization of Lutheran congregations
2: the ecclesiastical district governed by a synod -- syn.od.al adj