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

Practice frequently occurs within a monastic or lay community. — Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

Jason was hissing fiercely; Gordon, who projects a monastic calm, was trying to reason with the mother while batting her back each time the flap swung open. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026

Noun

Le said Pannakara was a quick learner, completing several projects on their campus including landscaping, a new kitchen, homes for the monastics and a memorial hall for deceased members. — Deepa Bharath, Fortune, 17 July 2026

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

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