churches

Noun

church (countable and uncountable, plural churches)

1. (countable) A Christian house of worship; a building where Christian religious services take place.
   • There is a lovely little church in the valley.

   Synonyms:

   chapel, kirk

2. Christians collectively seen as a single spiritual community; Christianity; Christendom.
   • These worshippers make up the Church of Christ.
3. (countable) A local group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs, local or general.
   • Many young people find their only role models of family life in church.2007, Bill Gibson, The Ultimate Church Sound Operator's Handbook, page 78
4. (countable) A particular denomination of Christianity.
   • The Church of England separated from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534.
5. Christian worship held at a church; service.
   • Pastors complained that they were not allowed enough authority in church, with women exercising too much informal control.1997, Paul Harvey, Redeeming the South: Religious Cultures and Racial Identities ..., page 119
6. (uncountable) Organized religion in general or a specific religion considered as a political institution.
   • Many constitutions enshrine the separation of church and state.

See all 16 meanings of church