- 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
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
Congregationalism /ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃənəˌlɪzəm/ n
con•gre•ga•tion•al•ism
(kong′gri gā′shə nl iz′əm),USA pronunciation n.
con′gre•ga′tion•al•ist, n., adj.
- Religiona form of Protestant church government in which each local religious society is independent and self-governing.
- Religion(cap.) the system of government and doctrine of Congregational churches.
- congregational + -ism 1640–50