noun
ecclesiology
ih-klee-zee-AHL-uh-jee
Ecclesiology (noun) means the part of theology that studies what the church teaches and what it is for. Example: “Her doctoral thesis was on medieval ecclesiology.”
noun
1
The part of theology that studies what the church teaches and what it is for.
"Her doctoral thesis was on medieval ecclesiology."
"The seminary offers a course in ecclesiology for second-year students."
"Debates about who may lead worship are a question of ecclesiology."
How to use ecclesiology
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe study of the church, its teachings and its role.
When to use it
It is a formal, specialist term used mainly in theology and church history.
Memory tip
The word is both countable and uncountable, so you can talk about different ecclesiologies.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
Catholic ecclesiology
Anglican ecclesiology
professor of ecclesiology
Reformed ecclesiology
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Fill the gap
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Her doctoral thesis was on medieval _____.
Etymology
The word was formed in English from ecclesio- and the ending -logy. A writer in the British Critic coined it in 1837, in the form ecclesialogy.
Rhymes for ecclesiology
urology
apology
zoology
biology
ecology
analogy
etiology
pedagogy
mycology
virology
sexology
cytology
See all rhymes for ecclesiology →
Frequently asked questions
What does ecclesiology mean?
Ecclesiology is the part of theology that studies what the church teaches and what it is for.
How do you pronounce ecclesiology?
In American English it is usually said ih-klee-zee-AHL-uh-jee, with the stress on the fourth syllable.
What is the difference between ecclesiology and theology?
Theology is the study of religion and belief in general. Ecclesiology is one branch of it, focused on the church.
What is the meaning of ecclesiology?
"ecclesiology" (noun) means the part of theology that studies what the church teaches and what it is for.
