Episcopalian

American  

[ih-pis-kuh-peyl-yuhn, -pey-lee-uhn] / ɪˌpɪs kəˈpeɪl yən, -ˈpeɪ li ən /

adjective

1. pertaining or adhering to the Episcopal Church in America.

2. (lowercase) pertaining or adhering to the episcopal form of church government.

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noun

1. a member of the Episcopal Church in America.

2. (lowercase) an adherent of the episcopal system of church government.

Episcopalian ¹ British  

/ ɪˌpɪskəˈpeɪlɪən /

adjective

1. belonging to or denoting the Episcopal Church

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noun

1. a member or adherent of this Church

episcopalian ² British  

/ ɪˌpɪskəˈpeɪlɪən /

adjective

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

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noun

1. an advocate of such Church government

Other Word Forms

• Episcopalianism noun
• episcopalianism noun
• non-Episcopalian noun
• nonepiscopalian adjective
• pseudo-Episcopalian adjective

Etymology

Origin of Episcopalian

First recorded in 1680–90; episcopal + -ian

Example Sentences

My dad is an actor and an Episcopalian priest, so we talked more about nuns and religion in preparation for this part.

From Salon • May 2, 2023

Dr. Evans, an Episcopalian, often spoke of feeling called by God to care for children.

From New York Times • Sep. 30, 2022

Her father, Robert, was an Episcopalian minster who lost his hearing when we was struck by lightning at age 4.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 23, 2022

Neil M. Gorsuch was raised Catholic but attends Episcopalian services.

From Washington Times • Jul. 30, 2022

They're about exclusive Manhattan clubs, invite-only charity dinners, trips to St. Croix, and the fancy Episcopalian cathedral full of powerful white people just like them.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins