Church
/tʃɜːrtʃ/
Definitions
2 meaningsA building used for Christian religious services and activities.
/tʃɜːrtʃ/
A building for Christian worship.
The church bells rang out across the valley.
💡 Simply: A church is like a house for God where people go to pray and learn about their religion. It's a place where people come together.
👶 For kids: It's a building where people go to pray.
More Examples
We went to church on Easter Sunday.
How It's Used
"They attended church every Sunday."
"The church provides vital social services to the community."
A specific Christian denomination or congregation.
/tʃɜːrtʃ/
A body of Christian believers.
The church welcomes all people.
💡 Simply: Sometimes 'church' means the group of people who believe the same things, like a team.
👶 For kids: It's a group of people who believe in God.
More Examples
The Methodist church is celebrating its anniversary.
How It's Used
"The church is divided on this issue."
Idioms & expressions
go to church
To attend a religious service at a church.
"I go to church every Sunday."
From Old English *circe, from Late Latin *circu(m), meaning 'circle' or 'assembly'. It originally referred to a building used for religious assemblies.
In early uses, the term sometimes referred to both the building and the gathering.
Memory tip
Think 'circle' – churches often have circular or semi-circular elements in their architecture, reflecting the gathering of people.
Word Origin
"circle, assembly"