abbey

noun

ab·​bey ˈa-bē 

plural abbeys

1

a

: a monastery ruled by an abbot

b

: a convent ruled by an abbess

2

: an abbey church

Synonyms

• monastery
• cloister

Examples of abbey in a Sentence

the monks in the abbey grow all their own vegetables

Recent Examples on the Web

Inextricably tied to the D-Day invasion of World War II, this northern French region of orchards, dairies, horse farms and seaside villages along the English Channel draws visitors who come to honor the fallen or visit famous medieval fortresses and abbeys. —Seth Sherwood, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025

Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, The Fourth Prettiest Village In France, 2025 Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, the fourth prettiest village in France, 2025 is renowned for its medieval abbey from the 12th century on the banks of the river Dordogne, although only the church remains in situ today. —Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

The approach is one that the duo has used in other projects, including Clausura, a ghost-like outline of a late 12th century abbey in Herkenrode, Belgium. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025

Wright was assigned the role of prior, the position just below the abbot, and was responsible for much of the operation of the abbey. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abbeye, abbay, borrowed from Anglo-French abeie, abbaye, borrowed from Medieval Latin abbātia "abbacy, abbey," from Late Latin abbāt-, abbās abbot + Latin -ia -y entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for abbey

• abbe
• cabbie
• cabby
• flabby
• gabby
• gaby
• scabby
• shabby
• tabby

Kids Definition

abbey

noun

ab·​bey ˈab-ē 

plural abbeys

1

a

: monastery

b

: convent

2

: a church that once belonged to an abbey

Westminster Abbey

Biographical Definition

Abbey

biographical name

Ab·​bey ˈa-bē 

Edwin Austin 1852–1911 American painter and illustrator