A collection or mass of separate things.

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.

The whole body of the Jewish people; – called also
Congregation of the Lord.

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.

A company of religious persons forming a subdivision
of a monastic order.

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

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