Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Congregation has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church
"The Sunday morning congregation gathered in the sanctuary to sing hymns led by their pastor."
an assemblage of people or animals or things collected together
"a congregation of children pleaded for his autograph"
"a great congregation of birds flew over"
the act of congregating
"The congregation in the town square was brief before everyone dispersed to their homes."
The act of congregating or collecting together.
"The rapid congregation of people in the park created a temporary crowd after the concert ended."
In plain English: A congregation is a group of people who gather together for religious services or worship.
"The small congregation gathered in the church for Sunday morning worship."
Usage: In everyday use, congregation refers specifically to an assembly of people gathered in religious worship rather than the general act of gathering. It is often confused with "gathering," but implies a formal group united by faith at a specific location like a church.
The word comes from the Latin congregātiō, meaning "to herd into a flock." English adopted it in the 1520s to translate the Greek term for those called together into a meeting.