The word synagogue entered English via Old French and Late Latin from the Greek synagōgē, meaning "assembly, gathering." The Greek term is a compound of syn- ("together") and agō ("I lead, bring"), with agōgē denoting "a bringing, leading." Thus, the literal meaning is "a bringing together" or "a gathering." This etymology directly reflects the core function of a synagogue as a place where the Jewish community is "led together" or "gathered" for collective worship, study, and assembly. The semantic evolution is straightforward, maintaining the core concept of a convened assembly from its ancient Greek roots into its specific modern application for a Jewish house of worship.

Structure: syn (together) + agogue (lead, bring) syn- (from Greek, meaning "together, with"), -agogue (from Greek agōgos, meaning "leading, bringing")