congregational

American  

[kong-gri-gey-shuh-nl] / ˌkɒŋ grɪˈgeɪ ʃə 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 British  

/ 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

---

Other Word Forms

• congregationally adverb
• non-Congregational adjective
• uncongregational adjective

Etymology

Origin of congregational

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

Example Sentences

"Each church body has its own safeguarding personnel employed who assist and advise the bishop or congregational leader on responding to survivors on an individual basis," they said.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

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 • Mar. 7, 2024

“We’ve said that feels punitive,” he said of the demand, noting that conference Bishop Latrelle Easterling was part of a national team that worked out the rules for congregational departures.

From Washington Times • Aug. 30, 2023

He served as the congregational rabbi there for 24 years and remained a member of the congregation until he moved into a senior living residence in Canton in 2017.

From New York Times • Apr. 28, 2023

“He’s just a country boy in school up there. He dont mean any harm. I think the marshal’ll find it’s a mistake. His father’s a congregational minister.”

From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner