synagogue

noun

syn·​a·​gogue ˈsi-nə-ˌgäg How to pronounce synagogue (audio)
variants or less commonly synagog
Synonyms of synagoguenext
1
: a Jewish congregation
2
: the house of worship and communal center of a Jewish congregation
synagogal
ˌsi-nə-ˈgä-gəl How to pronounce synagogue (audio)
adjective

Examples of synagogue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Australia has seen an escalating series of attacks on synagogues, buildings and cars since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, raising fear among Australia’s nearly 115,000 Jewish people. — Reuters, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2025 The tsunami of executive orders has left churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques working to understand what that means for their day-to-day operations and worship activities. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2025 In supporting a network of synagogues, OU runs the largest kosher certification program in the United States. — Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025 The shooter in the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre in 2018 seemed to have been inspired by the conspiracy theory, and targeted the congregation for its support of a pro-immigrant Shabbat. — Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for synagogue

Word History

Etymology

Middle English synagoge, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin synagoga, from Greek synagōgē assembly, synagogue, from synagein to bring together, from syn- + agein to lead — more at agent

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of synagogue was in the 13th century

Rhymes for synagogue

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synagogue
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Cite this Entry

“Synagogue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synagogue. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

synagogue

noun
syn·​a·​gogue
variants also synagog
ˈsin-ə-ˌgäg How to pronounce synagogue (audio)
1
: a Jewish congregation
2
: the house of worship of a Jewish congregation
Etymology

Middle English synagoge "a Jewish congregation," from early French synagoge (same meaning), from Latin synagoga (same meaning), from Greek synagōgē "synagogue, assembly," from synagein "to bring together," from syn- "together with" and agein "to lead" — related to synonymous

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