Episcopalian

[ ih-pis-kuh-peyl-yuhn, -pey-lee-uhn ]

adjective

1. pertaining or adhering to the Episcopal Church in America.
2. (lowercase) pertaining or adhering to the episcopal form of church government.

noun

1. a member of the Episcopal Church in America.
2. (lowercase) an adherent of the episcopal system of church government.

episcopalian

¹

/ ɪˌpɪskəˈpeɪlɪən /

adjective

1. practising or advocating the principle of Church government by bishops

noun

1. an advocate of such Church government

Episcopalian

²

/ ɪˌpɪskəˈpeɪlɪən /

adjective

1. belonging to or denoting the Episcopal Church

noun

1. a member or adherent of this Church

Derived Forms

• eˌpiscoˈpalianˌism, noun

Other Words From

• E·pisco·palian·ism noun
• none·pisco·palian adjective
• non-E·pisco·palian noun
• pseudo-E·pisco·palian adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Episcopalian¹

First recorded in 1680–90; episcopal + -ian

Example Sentences

By the second decade of the 21st century, Presbyterians, Lutherans and Episcopalians had largely dismantled their bans.

From Seattle Times

It is led by a breakaway group of mostly former Episcopalians who disagreed with the Episcopal Church’s decision to allow an openly gay person to be a bishop, and other theological issues.

From Seattle Times

Mr. Harris started volunteering 15 years ago at the front desk of St. David’s Medical Center, an Austin hospital founded by Episcopalians.

From Washington Times

Catholic, Anglican and Episcopalian churches follow liturgical calendars containing set Scripture passages to be read, with sermons or homilies to be derived from those passages.

From Washington Times

This “dechurching,” as they call it, is apparent in most denominations, reducing the numbers of Presbyterians and Episcopalians and also of evangelicals like Southern Baptists.

From Seattle Times