synods

Noun

synod (plural synods)

1. An ecclesiastic council or meeting to consult on church matters.
   • Addressing a number of previously taboo topics, this synod could result in several liberalizing reforms, though there is no guarantee that it will produce anything at all.2023 October 2, Jason Horowitz, Elisabetta Povoledo, “What Is a Synod in the Catholic Church? And Why Does This One Matter?”, in The New York Times, →ISSN
2. An administrative division of churches, either the entire denomination, as in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, or a mid-level division (middle judicatory, district) as in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
3. An assembly or council having civil authority (formal); a legislative body.
   • It hath in solemn synods been decreed.c. 1594 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Comedie of Errors”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...
4. A conjunction of two or more of the heavenly bodies.