congregational

[ kong-gri-gey-shuh-nl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a congregation:

   congregational singing.

2. (initial capital letter) pertaining or adhering to a form of Protestant church government in which each local church acts as an independent, self-governing body, while maintaining fellowship with like congregations.

congregational

/ ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃənəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a congregation
2. usually capital of, relating to, or denoting the Congregational Church, its members, or its beliefs

Derived Forms

• ˌcongreˈgationally, adverb

Other Words From

• congre·gation·al·ly adverb
• non-Con·gre·gation·al adjective
• uncon·gre·gation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of congregational¹

First recorded in 1570–80; congregation + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Eid is marked with congregational prayers and festivities that typically include family visits, gatherings and new clothes.

From Seattle Times

Muslims typically stream into mosques for congregational prayers and dedicate more time for religious contemplation and the reading of the Quran, the Muslim holy book.

From Seattle Times

On Friday, thousands of Muslims in several parts in the region offered special congregational prayers seeking God’s intervention in ending the dry spell.

From Seattle Times

That devotion connected her to the earliest traditions of organized American music-making , the congregational singing in colonial churches that was served by the country’s first composers.

From New York Times

With an appeals court weighing the issue, New York legislators voted in May to amend the law, allowing congregational leaders and those in charge of security to carry guns.

From Seattle Times