church book: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Ecclesiastical
Quick answer
What does “church book” mean?
A book kept by a church to record official events such as baptisms, marriages, and burials.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A book kept by a church to record official events such as baptisms, marriages, and burials.
Any official register or ledger maintained by a religious institution for administrative or historical purposes; can also refer to a book containing the liturgy or hymns used in church services.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'parish register' is a more common and precise term for the record of vital events. In the US, 'church book' is slightly more generic and can also refer to a congregation's minute book or financial ledger.
Connotations
UK: Strong historical/archival association. US: Can have administrative or contemporary connotations alongside historical ones.
Frequency
The term is infrequent in both varieties. 'Parish register' is significantly more common in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “church book” in a Sentence
The church book records [EVENT]According to the church book, [FACT]We found [INFORMATION] in the church book.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “church book” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The vicar will church-book the baptism next Sunday.
- They need to church-book the marriage banns.
American English
- The clerk will church-book the new members.
- We must church-book the council's decision.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- The church-book entry was faded but legible.
- She studied church-book records for her thesis.
American English
- The church-book data was entered into a spreadsheet.
- He is the church-book historian for the diocese.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts of heritage tourism or archival services.
Academic
Used in historical, genealogical, or religious studies research.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Used by individuals researching family history.
Technical
Standard term in genealogy, archival science, and church administration.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “church book”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “church book”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “church book”
- Using 'church book' to mean 'Bible' (a holy text) or 'prayer book' (a book for personal devotion). Confusing it with a 'visitors' book'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A Bible is the sacred scripture of Christianity. A 'church book' is an administrative record or a book of liturgy/hymns.
It is not standard. The term is strongly associated with Christian churches. Use 'congregational record', 'register', or faith-specific terms like 'ketubah' (Jewish marriage contract) instead.
They are often held in local church archives, county record offices, or national archives. Many have been digitised and are available on genealogical websites.
They are largely synonymous for records of vital events. 'Parish register' is the more formal and precise term, especially in the UK. 'Church book' can be broader, including minutes or financial records.
A book kept by a church to record official events such as baptisms, marriages, and burials.
Church book: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɜːtʃ ˌbʊk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɝːtʃ ˌbʊk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated with the compound term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BOOK in a CHURCH where important events (like a wedding) are written down to be remembered.
Conceptual Metaphor
A RECORD IS A MEMORY (The book serves as the institutional memory of the congregation.)
Practice
Quiz
What is the most precise synonym for 'church book' in the context of recording baptisms?