clergy

noun

cler·​gy ˈklər-jē 

plural clergies

1

: a group ordained to perform pastoral or sacerdotal functions in a Christian church

Members of the clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.

2

: the official or sacerdotal class of a non-Christian religion

Buddhist clergy

Synonyms

• church
• cloth
• first estate
• ministry
• spirituality
• spiritualty

Examples of clergy in a Sentence

Local clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.

a member of the clergy

Recent Examples on the Web

The Catholic Church is among many faiths that recruit and hire international clergy to fill staffing gaps that have widened in recent decades. —Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2024

Trujillo also emphasized the Trump campaign’s outreach to evangelical clergy, who play an important role within Latino communities. —Geraldo Cadava, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2024

As word of the teens’ exploits spreads, the town’s police department (led by Evil Dead icon Bruce Campbell) and official clergy resist the panic. —Judy Berman, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

But in March 2023, the State Department announced that was a mistake and immediately started adding them to the general queue with the clergy. —Giovanna Dell’orto, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English clergie, from Anglo-French, from clerc clergyman

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clergy

• benefit of clergy

Kids Definition

clergy

noun

cler·​gy ˈklər-jē 

plural clergies

: the group of religious officials (as priests, ministers, or rabbis) specially prepared and authorized to conduct religious services