abbot

noun

ab·​bot ˈa-bət How to pronounce abbot (audio)
: the superior of a monastery for men

Examples of abbot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Among the film’s interviewees are two former nuns at the school and the abbot who supervised several of the priests accused of rape and murder. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2025 King Sverre of Norway personally provided information to the writer, Icelandic abbot Karl Jónsson, and instructed him on the details of the saga, Brink added. Hannah Peart, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2024 The abbot told him to begin every morning by performing exactly 108 bows, a meditation exercise in Korean Buddhism. Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024 In the 12th century, the abbots of Crowland constructed a hall and chapel complex at the site, which were also uncovered during the recent digs. Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for abbot

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abbot, abbod, going back to Old English, borrowed from Late Latin abbāt-, abbās, borrowed from Late Greek abbâs (also, a title of respect given to monks), borrowed from Aramaic abbā "father"

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abbot was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Abbot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abbot. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

abbot

noun
ab·​bot ˈab-ət How to pronounce abbot (audio)
: the head of a monastery for men

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