ecumenical
adjective
ec·u·men·i·cal
ˌe-kyə-ˈme-ni-kəl 
-kyü-
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
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
And the placid and ecumenical urge, so appealing in more serene moments, can land differently in our own.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
One central event during Charles’ trip to the Vatican will be a historic first in which the king will visit the Papal Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, where reconciliation and ecumenical relations between Christian faiths are celebrated.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2025
Among his misgivings: The Post’s ecumenical approach to commentary made the coverage unique and valuable, and putting out a daily section with quality writing on a narrower set of views could be challenging.
—Benjamin Mullin, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ecumenical
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Sandy Tolan, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2025
And the placid and ecumenical urge, so appealing in more serene moments, can land differently in our own.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
One central event during Charles’ trip to the Vatican will be a historic first in which the king will visit the Papal Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, where reconciliation and ecumenical relations between Christian faiths are celebrated.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2025
Among his misgivings: The Post’s ecumenical approach to commentary made the coverage unique and valuable, and putting out a daily section with quality writing on a narrower set of views could be challenging.
—Benjamin Mullin, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ecumenical
Cite this Entry
“Ecumenical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecumenical. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ecumenical
adjective
ec·u·men·i·cal
ˌek-yə-ˈmen-i-kəl
1
: worldwide or general in extent, influence, or application
2
: of, relating to, or representing the whole of a body of churches
3
: leading toward agreement or cooperation among Christians
Etymology
from Latin oecumenicus "worldwide," from Greek oikoumenē "the inhabited world," from oikein "to inhabit," from oikos "house"
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