rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymonasteryReligious residence
noun

monastery

MAH-nuh-stair-ee/ˈmɑːnəsteri/

A place where monks or nuns live as a religious community.

Two monks walk through the monastery's cloister.

Two monks in simple robes walk a monastery cloister beside cell doors and small chapel.
Etymology
monasGreekto live alone
+teryGreekplace for an activity

The pieces describe a place for living alone. In religious use, this seclusion is from the world: a monastery can house people who live and worship together.

In context

Chronicle - Medieval History Documentaries126:58
To remind monks when to pray, a bell rang out across the monastery, dictating the rhythm of life.
What It Was Like To Live On A Medieval Farm As A Peasant | Tudor Monastery | Chronicle

More examples

  • The monks tended the monastery's vegetable garden.
  • Visitors stayed in rooms beside the monastery.
  • A stone wall surrounded the old monastery.

Forms

monastery · monasteries

Similar words

convent
Commonly refers to a community or residence of nuns.
abbey
A monastery headed by an abbot or abbess.