congregationalism

[ kong-gri-gey-shuh-nl-iz-uhm ]

noun
  1. a form of Protestant church government in which each local religious society is independent and self-governing.

  2. (initial capital letter) the system of government and doctrine of Congregational churches.

Origin of congregationalism

1
First recorded in 1640–50; congregational + -ism

Other words from congregationalism

  • con·gre·ga·tion·al·ist, noun, adjective

Words Nearby congregationalism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use congregationalism in a sentence

  • Preston congregationalism is a very good, a very respectable, and a very quarrelsome creature.

  • I must now pass from local and personal affairs to notice a movement in congregationalism at large.

  • (for their sakes we say it,) the congregationalism of New-England governs it.

  • congregationalism is not largely represented in Kensington, and mainly centres in one or two Churches, viz.

    The Church Index | William Pepperell
  • congregationalism was still in the ascendancy when it ceased to banish Baptists and to whip Quakers.

    The Arena | Various

British Dictionary definitions for Congregationalism

Congregationalism

/ (ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃənəˌlɪzəm) /


noun
  1. a system of Christian doctrines and ecclesiastical government in which each congregation is self-governing and maintains bonds of faith with other similar local congregations

Derived forms of Congregationalism

  • Congregationalist, adjective, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012