noun

minster

MIHNS-tuh

noun

A large, important church, originally one attached to a monastery.

"York Minster is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe."

"The choir rehearsed in the minster every Thursday evening."

A cathedral church, even one with no monastic history.

"The town grew up around its minster centuries ago."

How to Use Minster

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA grand old church, often one that used to be part of a monastery.

Common pairings

York Minster Westminster the minster church

minsters plural

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York _____ is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe.

From Old English mynster, borrowed ultimately from Latin monasterium ("monastery") — the same root that gives us "monastery" itself.

spinster Westminster