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   congregation

   /ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃn/

   noun

   • 1. a group of people assembled for religious worship: "the singing of psalms by the whole congregation" Similar parishionersparishchurchgoersflockfoldfaithfulfollowingfollowersadherentsbelieversloyal membersfellowshipcommunicantslaitybrethrenbrothers and sisterssouls
   • ▪ a group of people regularly attending a particular place of worship: "he was a member of the Emmanuel Chapel congregation"
   • 2. a gathering or collection of people, animals, or things: "large congregations of birds may cause public harm" Similar gatheringassemblyflockswarmbevyherdpackgroupbodycrowdmassmultitudehordehostmobturnoutthrongcompanyrallyconvocationcongresscouncilconclavesynodassemblageinformal:get-togetherhistorical:conventicle
   • ▪ the action of gathering together in a crowd: "drought conditions lead to the congregation of animals around watering points"
   • 3. (in the Roman Catholic Church) a permanent committee of the College of Cardinals: "the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith"
   • ▪ (in some universities) a general assembly of resident senior members. British
   • 4. a group of people obeying a common religious rule but under less solemn vows than members of the older religious orders: "the sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady"
   • ▪ a group of communities within a religious order sharing particular historical or regional links.
   • 5. a flock of plovers: rare "this is a shorebird beach, with a congregation of plovers inhabiting it"

   Word Origin late Middle English (in congregation (sense 2, sense 3, sense 4)): from Latin congregatio(n-), from congregare ‘collect (into a flock)’ (see congregate).

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