monastery

noun

mon·​as·​tery ˈmä-nə-ˌster-ē 

plural monasteries

: a house for persons under religious vows

especially : an establishment for monks

Synonyms

• abbey
• cloister
• friary
• hermitage
• priory

Examples of monastery in a Sentence

Gregory Mendel worked out his concepts of genetics by doing breeding experiments using pea plants in the monastery's garden.

Recent Examples on the Web

In winter 1524-1525, the peasants were able to capture castles and monasteries without much bloodshed. —Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025

Through centuries, pilgrims stopped at the monastery there, and then the island became a vineyard, a vegetable garden and eventually a fortified military site. —Luisa Zargani, WWD, 21 Feb. 2025

Veronika was accused by her father-in-law of being a witch, but sought sanctuary in a Carthusian monastery, aided by the monk Prior Arnold. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025

Its capital city boasted modern institutions, historic monasteries, and a self-governing parliament. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English monasterie, from Late Latin monasterium, from Late Greek monastērion, from Greek, hermit's cell, from monazein to live alone, from monos single — more at monk

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for monastery

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

Kids Definition

monastery

noun

mon·​as·​tery ˈmän-ə-ˌster-ē 

plural monasteries

: a place where a community of monks or nuns live and work

monasterial

ˌmän-ə-ˈstir-ē-əl

adjective