A church, chapel and meeting house can all be a place of worship. Although they can be used as synonyms, the words church, chapel and meeting house can also mean very different things. The difference in meaning is oftentimes a question of religion.

Church is defined by some to be a building or structure whose primary purpose is to house a religious service. Those religions that meet in chapel or meeting house use the word Church to mean the whole body of people who believe in Christ.

A chapel is a religious place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure, such as a church or college, but can also be a separate building. In Victorian England, the word chapel was used to mean any house of worship that didn't belong to the Anglican Church. This usage continues throughout much of the United Kingdom.

A meeting house is a building where public gatherings take place. It can be a city hall, house of religious worship, or serve both functions. The Amish use the word meeting house to refer to their place of worship.