Definition of: church

(chûrch) noun
1. A building for Christian worship.
2. Regular religious services; public worship.
3. A local congregation of Christians.
4. Usually cap. A distinct body of Christians having a common faith and discipline; a denomination: the Episcopal Church.
5. All Christian believers collectively.
6. Ecclesiastical organization and authority, as distinguished from secular authority: the separation of church and state.
7. The clerical profession; holy orders.
8. Any religious body or society.
—v.t.
1. To call to account before the congregation; to reprimand or punish publicly according to church discipline.
2. To conduct a religious service for (a person, especially a woman after childbirth). [OE circe, ult. <Gk. kyriakon (dōma) the Lord's (house) <kyrios Lord]