clergy

noun

cler·​gy ˈklər-jē 

plural clergies

1

: a group ordained to perform pastoral or sacerdotal functions in a Christian church

Members of the clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.

2

: the official or sacerdotal class of a non-Christian religion

Buddhist clergy

Synonyms of clergy

• church
• episcopate

Examples of clergy in a Sentence

Local clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.

a member of the clergy

Recent Examples on the Web

This past school year at Harvard, I was invited by the late Setti Warren, Director of the Harvard Institute of Politics, and Joe Kennedy III to work with future politicians, activists, doctors, clergy members, executives and entrepreneurs grappling with that reality in real time. —Marc Adelman, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026

Sutton points to, among other factors, a gap between the progressive stances adopted by mainline clergy and the more conservative views of the average mainline churchgoer. —Michael Luo, New Yorker, 14 June 2026

Of the 255 residential properties currently managed by the Royal Household, 145 are rented to current and retired staff, 21 to military, knights, and clergy members, and 7 to working royals. —Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026

But other, more conservative Protestant groups do not ordain women as clergy. —Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English clergie, from Anglo-French, from clerc clergyman

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clergy

• benefit of clergy

Kids Definition

clergy

noun

cler·​gy ˈklər-jē 

plural clergies

: the group of religious officials (as priests, ministers, or rabbis) specially prepared and authorized to conduct religious services