WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
ec•cle•si•a
(i klē′zhē ə, -zē ə),USA pronunciation n., pl. -si•ae
-
(-zhē ē′, -zē ē′).USA pronunciation
- Ancient Historyan assembly, esp. the popular assembly of ancient Athens.
- Religiona congregation;
church.
- Greek ekklēsía assembly, equivalent. to ékklēt(os) summoned (ek- ec- + klē-, variant of kal-, stem of kaleîn to call, + -tos past participle suffix) + -ia -ia
- Latin
- 1570–80
'ecclesia' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):