noun
convent
KAHN-vent/ˈkɑːnvent/
A religious community living together, especially nuns.
The convent brings together nuns who share a religious life.
Etymology
The underlying image is people coming together: an assembly became a religious community and then also its residence. The word later narrowed to communities of women.
In context
lived the rest of her life as a nun in a Portuguese convent.
More examples
- She joins a convent after years of considering religious life.
- The convent welcomes visitors to its chapel.
- Several convents work together to provide meals for local families.
Forms
convent · convents
Similar words
- nunnery
- Specifically refers to a residence or community of nuns.
- monastery
- Usually refers to a residence for monks rather than nuns.