monastery
Monastery (noun) means a building or complex where monks live a communal religious life, often under vows. Example: “The monks rose before dawn for prayers at the monastery.”
How to use monastery
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA residence for monks who live according to religious vows.
A "monastery" usually houses monks, while a "convent" usually houses nuns — the terms aren't strictly interchangeable.
Word forms
monasteries plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The monks rose before dawn for prayers at the _____.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek monastḗrion, "hermitage," ultimately from mónos, "alone" — the same root that gives us "monk."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for monastery
See all rhymes for monastery →Frequently asked questions
What does “monastery” mean?
The word “monastery” means a building or complex where monks live a communal religious life, often under vows. In plain terms, a residence for monks who live according to religious vows.
How do you pronounce “monastery”?
“Monastery” is pronounced MO-nuhst-ree (/ˈmɑnəˌstɛɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “monastery” in a sentence?
Here is “monastery” used in a sentence: “The monks rose before dawn for prayers at the monastery.”
What part of speech is “monastery”?
“Monastery” is a noun.
Where does the word “monastery” come from?
The word “monastery” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek monastḗrion, "hermitage," ultimately from mónos, "alone" — the same root that gives us "monk.".
Is “monastery” a common word?
“Monastery” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between a monastery and a convent?
A monastery is a building or complex where monks live a communal religious life, often under vows, while a convent typically houses nuns rather than monks. Both are religious communal residences, but the terms are traditionally distinguished by the gender of the residents.
What is the difference between a monastery and an abbey?
An abbey is a specific type of monastery headed by an abbot or abbess and often includes a church, whereas monastery is the broader term for any communal residence of monks. Not every monastery is formally called an abbey.
Do people who are not monks ever live in a monastery?
Monasteries are primarily built for monks living under religious vows, though some also host visiting guests, retreatants, or novices in training. The core community, however, consists of monks committed to communal religious life.