synod

noun

syn·​od ˈsi-nəd How to pronounce synod (audio)
also -ˌnäd
Synonyms of synod
1
: an ecclesiastical governing or advisory council: such as
a
: an assembly of bishops in the Roman Catholic Church
b
: the governing assembly of an Episcopal province
c
: a Presbyterian governing body ranking between the presbytery and the general assembly
d
: a regional or national organization of Lutheran congregations
2
: the ecclesiastical district governed by a synod
synodal
ˈsi-nə-dᵊl How to pronounce synod (audio)
-ˌnä-;
  sə-ˈnä-dᵊl How to pronounce synod (audio)
adjective

Examples of synod 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.
In July, its members voted to keep the church open and hand its administration over to the synod, which will make decisions about its future. — Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 21 Aug. 2025 Yet a minority is wary, fearing that synods could undermine doctrinal clarity or papal authority. — Christopher Hale, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025 At previous synods, women were only allowed more marginal roles of observers or experts, literally seated in the last row of the audience hall while the bishops and cardinals took the front rows and voted. — Nicole Winfield and Trisha Thomas, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2023 Casey said the synod, the first in the 19-county archdiocese since 1971, will be designed to give all Catholics an opportunity to weigh in on issues that are important to them. — Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for synod

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sinod, from Late Latin synodus, from Late Greek synodos, from Greek, meeting, assembly, from syn- + hodos way, journey

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of synod was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

synneurosis
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See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Synod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synod. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

synod

noun
syn·​od ˈsin-əd How to pronounce synod (audio)
1
: a meeting of church leaders
2
: the governing or advisory council of a church
synodal
ˈsin-əd-ᵊl How to pronounce synod (audio)
adjective
synodical
sə-ˈnäd-i-kəl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on synod

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for synod

Nglish: Translation of synod for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about synod

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