a building set apart for christian worship.-a jewish or heathen temple.-a formally organized body of christian believers worshiping together.-a body of christian believers, holding the same creed, observing the same rites, and acknowledging the same ecclesiastical authority; a denomination; as, the roman catholic church; the presbyterian church.-the collective body of christians.-any body of worshipers; as, the jewish church; the church of brahm.-the aggregate of religious influences in a community; ecclesiastical influence, authority, etc.; as, to array the power of the church against some moral evil.-to bless according to a prescribed form, or to unite with in publicly returning thanks in church, as after deliverance from the dangers of childbirth; as, the churching of women.