1. the act of officially excluding someone from participation in the sacraments and services of a Christian church
Usage: religious

Examples

• The bishop threatened excommunication for those who defied church doctrine.
• His excommunication from the Catholic Church was announced publicly.
• The threat of excommunication was used to maintain religious discipline.
• After her excommunication, she was no longer welcome at church services.
• The medieval church used excommunication as a powerful tool of control.
• His radical views led to his excommunication from the religious community.