1
a: of, relating to, or representing the whole of a body of churches
b: promoting or tending toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation
2
: worldwide or general in extent, influence, or application
Examples of ecumenical in a Sentence Recent Examples on the Web Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback. As professors in English and Religion at Belmont University, a mid-sized ecumenical Christian university in Nashville, Tenn., grant work has been new to us. —Sarah Blomeley, Time, 25 Apr. 2025 His miracles were ecumenical, often involving the untouchable. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025 Yet the realities of the region challenge Turkey's mix of pragmatism and ecumenical idealism. —Mustafa Akyol, Foreign Affairs, 21 Mar. 2012 At my university, University of Southern California, a multi-ethnic ecumenical cohort held candlelight vigils, teach-ins, and rallies demanding an end to the slaughter. —Sandy Tolan, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ecumenical Word HistoryEtymology
Late Latin oecumenicus, from Late Greek oikoumenikos, from Greek oikoumenē the inhabited world, from feminine of oikoumenos, present passive participle of oikein to inhabit, from oikos house — more at vicinity
First Known Use
circa 1587, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Time Traveler
The first known use of ecumenical was circa 1587 Cite this Entry“Ecumenical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecumenical. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Last Updated: 9 May 2025 - Updated example sentencesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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