I. ˈchərch, -ə̄ch, -əich noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English chirche, from Old English cirice; akin to Old Saxon kirika, Old High German kirihha; all from a prehistoric West Germanic word borrowed from (assumed) Gothic kyriko (whence Old Slavic crŭky ), from Late Greek kyrikon, alteration of kyriakon, short for kyriakon dōma the Lord's house, from Greek kyriakon (neuter of kyriakos of the lord or master, from kyrios lord, master, from kyros power) + dōma house; akin to Welsh cawr giant, Sanskrit śūra strong, Latin cavus hollow — more at cave
1. : a building set apart for public especially Christian worship
visit the churches of a city
as
a. : the principal house of a parish
b. : a house of worship in Great Britain for members of the established or formerly established church as distinguished from those of nonconformists and Roman Catholics — compare chapel 6
2. : a place of worship of any religion
a Muslim church
3. : a church service : divine worship or religious service in a church : the church building with the service going on in it
go to church
attend church
4. often capitalized
a. : the organization of Christianity or of an association of Christians ; especially : an historical institution composed of believing Christians
b. : the clergy or officers of such an organization
c. : a body of Christian believers holding the same creed, observing the same rites, and acknowledging the same ecclesiastical authority regarded either as the only true representative of or as a separate branch of the church universal and often confined to territorial or historical limits : denomination
the Presbyterian Church
d. : the total body of Christians regarded as a spiritual society
e. : a formally organized body of Christian believers worshiping together : a local Christian congregation
they had appointed elders for them in every church — Acts 14:23 (Revised Standard Version)
f. : ecclesiastical power, authority, or government
5. : the clerical profession
to go into the church
the youngest son was destined for the church
6. : a body of worshipers : a religious society or organization: as
a. : the congregation or company of God's worshipers under the old dispensation or in Old Testament times, the analogue and precursor of the Christian church
b. : a society, school, or the like resembling the Christian church (as in having a set of opinions held in common)
the Jewish church
Synonyms: see religion
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English chirchen, from chirche, n.
1. : to bring or conduct to church to receive one of its rites
2. in some high liturgical churches : to perform the rite of blessing (a woman) after childbirth — see churching
3. Midland : to discipline by church action
III. adjective
Etymology: church (I)
1. : of or relating to a church
church work
church government
2. : composed of or conducted by members of a church
church socials
3. chiefly Britain : of or relating to the established or formerly established church
we were church not chapel — E.L.Thomas