church

Noun
  1. One of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship (synset 108099479)
    is a type of: faith, organized religion, religion - an institution to express belief in a divine power
    subtypes:
    • armenian apostolic orthodox church, armenian church - an independent Christian church established in Armenia since 300; was influenced by both Roman and Byzantine traditions
    • catholic church - any of several churches claiming to have maintained historical continuity with the original Christian Church
    • nestorian church - a Christian Church in the Middle East that followed Nestorianism; there is still a small Nestorian Church in Iraq
    • coptic church - the ancient Christian church of Egypt
    • protestant, protestant church - the Protestant churches and denominations collectively
    • unification church - a Christian church (with some Buddhist elements) founded in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon and known for staging mass weddings and other communal activities
    member holonym: christian - a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination
    is a part of: christendom, christianity - the collective body of Christians throughout the world and history (found predominantly in Europe and the Americas and Australia)
    same as: christian church
  2. A place for public (especially Christian) worship (synset 103031762)
    "the church was empty"
    referred to in: church, church service - a service conducted in a house of worship
    is a type of: house of god, house of prayer, house of worship, place of worship - any building where congregations gather for prayer
    subtypes:
    • abbey - a church associated with a monastery or convent
    • basilica - an early Christian church designed like a Roman basilica; or a Roman Catholic church or cathedral accorded certain privileges
    • cathedral - any large and important church
    • cathedral, duomo - the principal Christian church building of a bishop's diocese
    • kirk - a Scottish church
    has:
    • amen corner - area reserved for persons leading the responsive `amens'
    • apse, apsis - a domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar
    • bema, chancel, sanctuary - area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing
    • church tower - the tower of a church
    • lady chapel - a small chapel in a church; dedicated to the Virgin Mary
    • narthex - a vestibule leading to the nave of a church
    • nave - the central area of a church
    • presbytery - building reserved for the officiating clergy
    • rood screen - a screen in a church; separates the nave from the choir or chancel
    • side chapel - a small chapel off the side aisle of a church
    • transept - structure forming the transverse part of a cruciform church; crosses the nave at right angles
    • sacristy, vestry - a room in a church where sacred vessels and vestments are kept or meetings are held
    same as: church building
  3. A service conducted in a house of worship (synset 101034400)
    "don't be late for church"
    associated with:
    • divine office - canonical prayers recited daily by priests (e.g. the breviary of the Roman Catholic Church)
    • church, church building - a place for public (especially Christian) worship
    • church bell - a bell in a church tower (usually sounded to summon people to church)
    • crypt - a cellar or vault or underground burial chamber (especially beneath a church)
    • hassock - a cushion for kneeling on (as when praying in church)
    • spire, steeple - a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top
    • puritanism - the beliefs and practices characteristic of Puritans (most of whom were Calvinists who wished to purify the Church of England of its Catholic aspects)
    • banns - a public announcement of a proposed marriage
    • discourse, preaching, sermon - an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
    • anglican church, anglican communion, church of england - the national church of England (and all other churches in other countries that share its beliefs); has its see in Canterbury and the sovereign as its temporal head
    • high anglican church, high church - a group in the Anglican Church that emphasizes the Catholic tradition (especially in sacraments and rituals and obedience to church authority)
    • separationist, separatist - an advocate of secession or separation from a larger group (such as an established church or a national union)
    • disestablish - deprive (an established church) of its status
    • attend, go to - be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
    • official - (of a church) given official status as a national or state institution
    is a type of: divine service, religious service, service - the act of public worship following prescribed rules
    same as: church service
  4. The body of people who attend or belong to a particular local church (synset 108099776)
    "our church is hosting a picnic next week"
    is a type of: body - a group of persons associated by some common tie or occupation and regarded as an entity
    is a part of: christendom, christianity - the collective body of Christians throughout the world and history (found predominantly in Europe and the Americas and Australia)
Verb
  1. Perform a special church rite or service for (synset 202083398)
    "church a woman after childbirth"
    is a type of: perform - perform a function

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