as in church
the people of a religion who are not priests, ministers, etc.
a member of the laity The laity has played an important role in the history of the church.
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Recent Examples of laity
The event, which drew roughly 80 clergy and laity from across the Central Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Arkansas, was held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Conway.
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Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2023
From this perspective, halachah is a partnership between the laity and the rabbinate, with the laity playing a critical role in the halachic process.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2022
The Vatican's laity office cracked down on the largely unregulated world of international associations of the faithful after some cases of abuses of authority and bad governance had been reported.
—Nicole Winfield, Star Tribune, 11 June 2021
And concerning public policy, the laity plays a crucial role in deciphering situations and conditions and helping apply them to halachah.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for laity 
Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2023
From this perspective, halachah is a partnership between the laity and the rabbinate, with the laity playing a critical role in the halachic process.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2022
The Vatican's laity office cracked down on the largely unregulated world of international associations of the faithful after some cases of abuses of authority and bad governance had been reported.
—Nicole Winfield, Star Tribune, 11 June 2021
And concerning public policy, the laity plays a crucial role in deciphering situations and conditions and helping apply them to halachah.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for laity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laity
Noun
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The hardware store and the burger joint; the historic coffee shop; churches, schools and grocery stores.Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
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Potholes: The Send Relief Serve Tour — run by a group that partners with churches, local organizations and government officials on community projects — is coming to San Diego, and one of its initiatives is to identify potholes in La Jolla.Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
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From the beginnings of the Great Migration, Johnson writes, most Catholic parishes, like residential neighborhoods and public schools, were strictly divided by race.Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 10 Jan. 2025
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Students plan nighttime vigil at Catholic parish on Madison's west side As the City Church service ended, another began at St. Maria Goretti Parish.Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The congregation, like so many, has shrunk over the years.Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
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Importantly, many congregations are also home to Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step meetings.Sarah Ventre, NPR, 12 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near laity
Cite this Entry
“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laity. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
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