established church


noun

a church that is recognized by law, and sometimes financially supported, as the official church of a nation.
Also called state church.
Compare national church.

Origin of established church

First recorded in 1650–60

Words nearby established church

British Dictionary definitions for established church

Established Church

noun

a Church that is officially recognized as a national institution, esp the Church of England

Cultural definitions for established church (1 of 2)

established church

A religious denomination that receives financial and other support from the government, often to the exclusion of support for other denominations. (See under “World Literature, Philosophy, and Religion.”)

Cultural definitions for established church (2 of 2)

established church

A church supported by the government as a national institution. The Church of England is an established church in England, as is the Lutheran Church in the countries of Scandinavia and the Presbyterian Church in Scotland.