synagogue

American  

[sin-uh-gog, -gawg] / ˈsɪn əˌgɒg, -ˌgɔg /

Or synagog

noun

1. a Jewish house of worship, often having facilities for religious instruction.

2. an assembly or congregation of Jews for the purpose of religious worship.

3. the Jewish religion; Judaism.

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synagogue British  

/ ˌsɪnəˈɡɒdʒɪkəl, ˈsɪnəˌɡɒɡ, ˈsɪnəˌɡɒɡəl /

noun

1. 1. a building for Jewish religious services and usually also for religious instruction

   2. ( as modifier )

      synagogue services

2. a congregation of Jews who assemble for worship or religious study

3. the religion of Judaism as organized in such congregations

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synagogue Cultural  

1. In Judaism, a house of worship and learning; also, the congregation that meets there.

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Other Word Forms

• synagogal adjective
• synagogical adjective

Etymology

Origin of synagogue

1125–75; Middle English synagoge < Late Latin synagōga < Greek synagōgḗ assembly, meeting, equivalent to syn- syn- + agōgḗ, noun use of feminine of agōgós (adj.) gathering, derivative of ágein to bring, lead; akin to Latin agere to drive

Explanation

A synagogue is a Jewish house of worship. A synagogue, sometimes called a temple or a shul, is for Jews what a church is for Christians, or a mosque for Muslims, or a temple for Hindus. The word comes from the Greek roots sun "together" and agein "bring" — it's a building where worshipers are brought together.

Example Sentences

If religious practice was not speaking to him, why in the world, after staying out late with his friends, would he still get up early and drag himself to synagogue?

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

A 17-year-old boy and 19-year-old man have been arrested over an arson attack aimed at a synagogue in north-west London, the Metropolitan Police has said.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Daniel Walker, the rabbi of the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester which was attacked last October, stresses the importance of dialogue between those of different faiths and perspectives.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

“The old men in my synagogue called me ‘little rabbi,’ ” the 81-year-old recalls.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

I looked forward to going to synagogue services with my maternal grandparents, with whom I was especially close.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson

Related Words

• chapel
• house of worship
• mosque
• parish
• shrine
• temple