episcopal church in america: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Religious, Academic
Quick answer
What does “episcopal church in america” mean?
The official name of the American branch of the Anglican Communion, a Protestant Christian denomination.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The official name of the American branch of the Anglican Communion, a Protestant Christian denomination.
A specific Christian denomination with a hierarchical structure led by bishops, practicing a liturgical form of worship that blends Protestant theology with Catholic traditions and sacraments. It is often associated with a socially liberal stance compared to other Anglican provinces worldwide.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the equivalent is the 'Church of England'. The term 'Episcopal' is not used as a standalone noun for the church there. In the US, 'Episcopal' is the standard term for this denomination.
Connotations
In the US, it often connotes a historically mainline, sometimes upper-middle-class denomination with a formal liturgy. In the UK, references to the American church carry connotations of being the sister church but with distinct, often more progressive, policies.
Frequency
High frequency in US religious and historical contexts; very low frequency in everyday UK English, where 'American Anglican Church' might be used for clarity.
Grammar
How to Use “episcopal church in america” in a Sentence
The Episcopal Church in America [verbs: ordains, celebrates, recognizes, governs, worships]A member/clergy/bishop of the Episcopal Church in AmericaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “episcopal church in america” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- She follows the American Episcopal Church tradition.
- An Episcopal Church bishop visited the diocese.
American English
- He is an Episcopal Church priest.
- They were married in an Episcopal Church ceremony.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like managing church assets or nonprofit governance.
Academic
Common in religious studies, American history, sociology of religion, and theology contexts.
Everyday
Used in conversations about religious affiliation, news about denominational policies, or when identifying one's church.
Technical
Used in ecclesiology, canon law, and interfaith dialogue to specify the particular Anglican province.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “episcopal church in america”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “episcopal church in america”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “episcopal church in america”
- Using lowercase ('episcopal church') – it is always a proper noun.
- Confusing it with the broader 'Anglican Communion' (of which it is a part).
- Omitting 'in America' in formal contexts where the full name is required.
- Mispronouncing 'Episcopal' with stress on the first syllable (/ˈɛpɪskəpəl/) instead of the second (/ɪˈpɪskəpəl/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is Protestant, as a member of the Anglican Communion, but it retains many Catholic liturgical traditions and sacraments, often describing itself as 'via media' (middle way).
'Episcopal' is an adjective meaning 'of or relating to a bishop.' 'The Episcopal Church in America' is the full proper name of the specific denomination. In common usage, it's just called 'The Episcopal Church.'
Yes, Episcopal churches welcome all visitors to their services. Participation in certain sacraments like Communion may have specific guidelines, which visitors can inquire about.
The primary cause was the American Revolution. American Anglicans needed an independent church structure not subject to the British monarch (the Supreme Governor of the Church of England). It was a political, not initially a theological, separation.
The official name of the American branch of the Anglican Communion, a Protestant Christian denomination.
Episcopal church in america is usually formal, religious, academic in register.
Episcopal church in america: in British English it is pronounced /ɪˌpɪs.kə.pəl ˈtʃɜːtʃ ɪn əˈmer.ɪ.kə/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˌpɪs.kə.pəl ˈtʃɜrtʃ ɪn əˈmɛr.ɪ.kə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this proper noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: EPISCOPAL = Bishops (from Greek 'episkopos') + CHURCH in AMERICA = The American church led by bishops, distinct from the Church of England.
Conceptual Metaphor
The Episcopal Church is often metaphorically described as a 'BIG TENT' (encompassing diverse views) or a 'BRIDGE' (between Protestant and Catholic traditions).
Practice
Quiz
What is the Episcopal Church in America's relationship to the Church of England?