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noun C2 Proficient

minster

MIHNS-tuh

Minster (noun) means a large, important church, originally one attached to a monastery. Example: “York Minster is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe.”

noun
1
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."
2
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

Word forms

minsters plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

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

Etymology

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

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for minster

See all rhymes for minster →

Frequently asked questions

What does “minster” mean?

The word “minster” means a large, important church, originally one attached to a monastery. In plain terms, a grand old church, often one that used to be part of a monastery.

How do you pronounce “minster”?

“Minster” is pronounced MIHNS-tuh (/ˈmɪnstɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “minster” in a sentence?

Here is “minster” used in a sentence: “York Minster is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe.”

What part of speech is “minster”?

“Minster” is a noun.

Where does the word “minster” come from?

The word “minster” comes from Latin. From Old English mynster, borrowed ultimately from Latin monasterium ("monastery") — the same root that gives us "monastery" itself.

How many meanings does “minster” have?

“Minster” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, important church, originally one attached to a monastery.

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