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# congregation

noun (a congregation, congregations)

«congregation» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (church) A congregation is the group of people gathered in a church, synagogue or mosque for worship. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/congregation/#m1)
2. The members of a particular church or religious community. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/congregation/#m2)
3. (formal) Any gathering of people or animals. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/congregation/#m3)

### In the lessons

In religious education the congregation sings, prays and listens to the sermon; the priest or minister leads them. In everyday life the word is used for members of a local church. Phrases: «the congregation stood», «a large congregation», «a congregation of birds» (rare).

### Examples

- The congregation sang a hymn together. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/congregation/#x1)
- The vicar welcomed the congregation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/congregation/#x2)
- Our church has a small but friendly congregation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/congregation/#x3)
- The rabbi spoke to the congregation in the synagogue. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/congregation/#x4)
- The congregation stood up when the bride came in. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/congregation/#x5)
- The whole congregation said «Amen». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/congregation/#x6)
- A congregation of seagulls gathered on the beach. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/congregation/#x7)
- The congregation sat in cushioned seats, and sang out of their Prayer-Books. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/congregation/#x8)

### Note

Countable: congregations. In British English it can take a plural verb («the congregation were singing»). Related: congregate (to gather).

## In Jewish tradition

The congregation is Israel as a nation, which acts together, hears the law and is judged together. Jeremiah even calls on the nations and the congregation to listen.

**Interpretation.** Hebrew edah and kahal are translated this way. The tradition takes it as a sign that Israel is bound as one people, and later a minyan of ten adults is called a congregation for prayer.

### Examples

- All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. (Torah EXO.12.47, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/congregation/#x1)
- Moses commanded us a law, an inheritance of the congregation of Jacob. (Torah DEU.33.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/congregation/#x2)
- and assemble thou all the congregation at the door of the tent of meeting.' (Torah LEV.8.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/congregation/#x3)
- And all the congregation murmured against the princes. (Prophets JOS.9.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/congregation/#x4)
- Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is against them. (Prophets JER.6.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/congregation/#x5)
- The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore, (Writings EZR.2.64, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/congregation/#x6)

### Note

Countable: congregations. In British English it can take a plural verb («the congregation were singing»). Related: congregate (to gather).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «congregation» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/congregation/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«congregation» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/congregation.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «congregation» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/congregation/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«congregation» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/congregation.html) on Mova free.