monastery

noun

mon·​as·​tery ˈmä-nə-ˌster-ē 

plural monasteries

: a house for persons under religious vows

especially : an establishment for monks

Synonyms of monastery

• cloister
• abbey

Examples of monastery in a Sentence

Gregory Mendel worked out his concepts of genetics by doing breeding experiments using pea plants in the monastery's garden.

Recent Examples on the Web

Through centuries of upheaval the monastery endured as a living testament to Ukraine’s faith, culture, and history. — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

From $1,724 Splendido Portofino, housed in a former Benedictine monastery, became a hot hotel for celebrities like Liz Taylor and Lauren Bacall in the 1950s and ’60s; Taylor’s favorite dish, a three-tomato sauce with spaghetti, is still on the menu. — Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 19 June 2026

Kyiv cast the attack as revenge for strikes on a historic monastery that had drawn global condemnation. — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 18 June 2026

Additionally, Russia has ramped up attacks on civilian centers usually considered off-limits in wartime, such as a 1,000-year-old cathedral and monastery complex in Kyiv that was bombed Sunday night, killing three people. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English monasterie, from Late Latin monasterium, from Late Greek monastērion, from Greek, hermit's cell, from monazein to live alone, from monos single — more at monk

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for monastery

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

Kids Definition

monastery

noun

mon·​as·​tery ˈmän-ə-ˌster-ē 

plural monasteries

: a place where a community of monks or nuns live and work

monasterial

ˌmän-ə-ˈstir-ē-əl

adjective