<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>Any of various ecclesiastical councils or tribunals.</li><li>The place where such a council or tribunal meets.</li><li>The meeting of any such body.</li><li>Roman Catholic Church: a solemn assembly of the whole body of cardinals, summoned and presided over by the pope.</li><li>Anglican Church: a diocesan court for dealing with ecclesiastical and spiritual questions, held in the cathedral church and presided over by the bishop, the bishop's chancellor, or the commissary.</li><li>(In certain Reformed churches) the governing board of a local church or congregation.</li><li>Any assembly or council.</li><li>Obsolete: a council chamber.</li></ul>