Congregation \Con`gre*ga"tion\, n. [L. congregatio: cf. F. congr['e]gation.]

1. The act of congregating, or bringing together, or of collecting into one aggregate or mass.

The means of reduction in the fire is but by the congregation of homogeneal parts. --Bacon.

2. A collection or mass of separate things.

A foul and pestilent congregation of vapors. --Shak.

3. An assembly of persons; a gathering; esp. an assembly of persons met for the worship of God, and for religious instruction; a body of people who habitually so meet.

He [Bunyan] rode every year to London, and preached there to large and attentive congregations. --Macaulay.

4. (Anc. Jewish Hist.) The whole body of the Jewish people; -- called also Congregation of the Lord.

It is a sin offering for the congregation. --Lev. iv. 21.

5. (R. C. Ch.)
   (a) A body of cardinals or other ecclesiastics to whom as intrusted some department of the church business; as, the Congregation of the Propaganda, which has charge of the missions of the Roman Catholic Church.
   (b) A company of religious persons forming a subdivision of a monastic order.

6. The assemblage of Masters and Doctors at Oxford or Cambrige University, mainly for the granting of degrees. [Eng.]

7. (Scotch Church Hist.) the name assumed by the Protestant party under John Knox. The leaders called themselves (1557) Lords of the Congregation.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)