cloister

1 of 2

noun

clois·​ter ˈklȯi-stər 

1

a

: a monastic establishment

b

: an area within a monastery or convent to which the religious are normally restricted

c

: monastic life

young people choosing the cloister as a way of life

d

: a place or state of seclusion

… the Internet broke out of its academic cloister and started cavorting in the mainstream.

—Paul McFedries

2

: a covered passage on the side of a court usually having one side walled and the other an open arcade or colonnade

The courtyard is surrounded with a cloister.

Illustration of cloister

• cloister 2

cloister

2 of 2

verb

cloistered; cloistering ˈklȯi-st(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to seclude from the world in or as if in a cloister

a scientist who cloisters herself in a laboratory

policy makers are cloistered for the weekend, trying to stave off a default that they fear could trigger an international financial panic

—Art Pine

2

: to surround with a cloister

cloistered gardens

Did you know?

Cloister first entered the English language as a noun in the 13th century, referring then (as it still does) to a convent or monastery. More than three centuries later, English speakers began using the verb cloister to mean “to seclude in or as if in a cloister.” Today, the noun can also refer to the monastic life or to a covered and usually arched passage along or around a court. You may also encounter the adjective cloistered with the meaning “separated from the rest of the world [as if in a cloister],” as in “She leads a private, cloistered life in the country.” Cloister ultimately comes from the Latin verb claudere, meaning “to close.” Other words that can be traced back to the prolific claudere include close, conclude, exclude, include, preclude, seclude, and recluse.

Synonyms of cloister

Noun

• monastery
• abbey

Examples of cloister in a Sentence

Noun

monks living in a cloister in the country

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Just off the bustling street known as Spaccanapoli, which runs through the historic center, this quiet cloister feels like a tranquil oasis removed from the chaos. —Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026

Set within the cloister of Santa Maria del Carmine, just a few steps from the Aesop Brera store, the installation will wink to how the brand illuminates every skin and room by unveiling Aposē, a trio of lights designed by the brand — one of which will be produced as a limited series. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026

Verb

One detail worth clarifying: the order refers to its members as sisters rather than nuns, as nuns are typically cloistered. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026

CEOs cloistered themselves inside the hotels to do business to avoid associations with the conference’s progressive programming. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English cloistre, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin claustrum, from Latin, bar, bolt, from claudere to close — more at close entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cloister

• moister
• oyster
• royster

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Kids Definition

cloister

1 of 2 noun

clois·​ter ˈklȯi-stər 

1

a

: monastery, convent

b

: monastic life

2

: a covered usually arched passage along or around a court

cloister

2 of 2 verb

1

: to shut away from the world in or as if in a cloister

leads a cloistered life

2

: to surround with a cloister

cloistered gardens