Ecumenical activities, ideas, and movements try to unite different Christian Churches.
[formal]
...ecumenical church services.
He was deeply involved in the ecumenical movement.
Synonyms: unifying, universal, non-denominational, non-sectarian More Synonyms of ecumenical
ecumenical in British English
or oecumenical (ˌiːkjʊˈmɛnɪkəl, ˌɛk-), ecumenic or oecumenic
adjective
1.
of or relating to the Christian Church throughout the world, esp with regard to its unity
2.
a.
tending to promote unity among Churches
b.
of or relating to the international movement initiated among non-Catholic Churches in 1910 aimed at Christian unity: embodied, since 1937, in the World Council of Churches
3. rare
universal; general; worldwide
Derived forms
ecumenically (ˌecuˈmenically) or oecumenically (ˌoecuˈmenically)
adverb
Word origin
C16: via Late Latin from Greek oikoumenikos, from oikein to inhabit, from oikos house
ecumenical in American English
(ˌɛkjuˈmɛnɪkəl; ˌɛkjəˈmɛnɪ kəl)
adjective
1.
general, or universal; esp., of or concerning the Christian church as a whole
2.
a.
furthering or intended to further the unity or unification of Christian churches
b.
of or having to do with ecumenism
Also ˌecuˈmenic
Derived forms
ecumenicalism (ˌecuˈmenicalˌism)
noun
ecumenically (ˌecuˈmenically)
adverb
Word origin
LL oecumenicus < Gr oikoumenikos, of or from the whole world < oikoumenē (gē), the inhabited (world) < oikein, to dwell, inhabit < oikos: see eco-
ecumenical in American English
(ˈekjuˈmenɪkəl, or, esp. Brit. ˈikju-)
adjective
1.
general; universal
2.
pertaining to the whole Christian church
3.
promoting or fostering Christian unity throughout the world
4.
of or pertaining to a movement (ecumenical movement), esp. among Protestant groups since the 1800s, aimed at achieving universal Christian unity and church union through international interdenominational organizations that cooperate on matters of mutual concern
5.
interreligious or interdenominational
an ecumenical marriage
6.
including or containing a mixture of diverse elements or styles; mixed
an ecumenical meal of German, Italian, and Chinese dishes
Also: ecumenic, oecumenical, oecumenic
Derived forms
ecumenically
adverb
Word origin
[1835–45; ‹ LL oecumenicus belonging to the whole inhabited world (‹ Gk oikoumenikós, equiv. to oikoumen- (s. of pass. prp. of oikeîn to inhabit) + -ikos-ic) + -al1]
Examples of 'ecumenical' in a sentence
ecumenical
We cannot do something contrary to an ecumenical council.
Christianity Today (2000)
Church relations were tentative and the ecumenical movement was still in its early stages.
Davey, Ray Rev. & Cole, John A Channel of Peace (1993)
This brought together students and theologians from many churches to foster ecumenical understanding.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This encounter with what was then an optimistic ecumenical movement led him to be ordained as an Anglican.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
So began the ecumenical movement.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The post-war ecumenical movement: good but ineffective.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
Other difficulties include the stuttering ecumenical dialogue with other denominations and the suspicions of some Orthodox leaders of what they see as godless liberalism in western churches.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In 1996 he was appointed OBE for services to the ecumenical movement.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
(adjective)
Definition
tending to promote unity among Christian churches
ecumenical church services
Synonyms
unifying
universal
proposals for universal health care
non-denominational
non-sectarian
general
The figures represent a general decline in unemployment.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of general
Definition
of, affecting, or including all or most of the members of a group
The figures represent a general decline in unemployment.
Synonyms
universal,
overall,
widespread,
collective,
across-the-board,
all-inclusive
in the sense of universal
Definition
of or relating to everyone in the world or everyone in a particular place or society