rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryabbeyReligious buildings
noun

abbey

AB-ee/ˈæbi/

A religious community under an abbot or abbess, together with its buildings.

The abbey's church joins a cloister and residential buildings.

An architectural view of an abbey: a stone church physically joined to a square cloister and a modest monastic residential wing.
Etymology
abbeyLatinmonastery or convent

Latin abbatia named a religious house governed by an abbot or abbess. The name could remain attached to its church even after the monastic community had gone.

In context

Medieval Europe Uncovered0:44
a priaryy is a bit larger. It's a small monastery run by a prior or prius. Priories are often connected to a bigger abbey
How To Distinguish Medieval Monasteries: Hermitage, Priory, Abbey? - Medieval Europe Uncovered

More examples

  • The abbey elects a new abbot.
  • Several abbeys preserved ancient manuscripts.
  • We toured the ruined abbey beside the river.

Forms

abbey · abbeys

Similar words

monastery
A religious residence not necessarily governed by an abbot.
convent
A convent usually houses a community of nuns and need not be led by an abbess.