monastic

1 of 3

adjective

mo·​nas·​tic mə-ˈna-stik 

1

: of or relating to monasteries or to monks or nuns

the rituals of monastic life

2

: resembling (as in seclusion or ascetic simplicity) life in a monastery

shows a monastic dedication to his job

monastically

mə-ˈna-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

monasticism

mə-ˈna-stə-ˌsi-zəm 

noun

monastic

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural monastics

: a member of a monastic order : a person (such as a monk) who lives under religious vows

Monastics are people who … every day try hard to become part of a community—to relinquish aspects of the very egoism the rest of us spend our lives, in various ways, trying to enhance.

—Robert Coles

monasticism

3 of 3

noun (2)

mo·​nas·​ti·​cism -təˌsizəm 

plural -s

: the monastic life, system, or condition

specifically : organized asceticism as practiced in a monastery

Examples of monastic in a Sentence

Adjective

He founded a monastic order in Belgium.

He shows a monastic dedication to his job.

She studied for the test with monastic zeal.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Most scholars believe the tapestry was made in England, probably in or around Canterbury, citing similarities with illuminated manuscripts associated with monastic libraries there. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 10 July 2026

Ryushin, the Buddhist monk at the center of Crows Are White was keeping his identity private until completing his monastic training. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 July 2026

Noun

The Bible’s message was seen as not only informative but salvific, and the monastic who memorized its words filled his or her soul with divine wisdom. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026

Most of these practitioners were monastics or ascetics. — Daniel M. Stuart, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1632, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for monastic

• aplastic
• bombastic
• dynastic
• dysplastic
• elastic
• fantastic
• gymnastic
• sarcastic
• scholastic
• silastic
• stochastic
• aeroelastic

Kids Definition

monastic

adjective

mo·​nas·​tic mə-ˈnas-tik 

1

: of or relating to monks or monasteries

2

: resembling life in a monastery

monastic noun

monastically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

monasticism

-tə-ˌsiz-əm 

noun