1
: the people of a religious faith as distinguished from its clergy
The laity has played an important role in the history of the church.
2
: the mass of the people as distinguished from those of a particular profession or those specially skilled
writers who can interpret this wholeness both to their colleagues and the laity—
P. B. Sears
P. B. SearsExamples of laity in a Sentence
a member of the laity
The laity has played an important role in the history of the church.
Recent Examples on the Web
Reforms on the table include how to give greater roles to women in the Catholic Church, including ordaining them as deacons, and the greater inclusion of laity in governance and decision making.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
The laity were to be monogamous, the holy men celibate, and the actually divine would not even feel lust.
—S. C. Cornell, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
Catholic clerics and laity have faithfully gathered each night in St. Peter’s Square to recite the rosary for the sake of the pope, being led in their prayer by members of the College of Cardinals.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Mar. 2025
Bishops and laity grapple for control of papal agendas, and all grapple with the watershed reforms of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), known as Vatican II.
—Mary Jo McConahay, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
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Christopher Lamb, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
The laity were to be monogamous, the holy men celibate, and the actually divine would not even feel lust.
—S. C. Cornell, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
Catholic clerics and laity have faithfully gathered each night in St. Peter’s Square to recite the rosary for the sake of the pope, being led in their prayer by members of the College of Cardinals.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Mar. 2025
Bishops and laity grapple for control of papal agendas, and all grapple with the watershed reforms of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), known as Vatican II.
—Mary Jo McConahay, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for laity
Cite this Entry
“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laity. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
laity
noun
la·ity
ˈlā-ət-ē 
plural laities
1
: the people of a religious faith who are not members of its clergy
2
: persons not of a particular profession
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