nunnery

noun

nun·​nery ˈnə-nə-rē How to pronounce nunnery (audio)
ˈnən-rə-
plural nunneries
Synonyms of nunnerynext
: a convent of nuns

Examples of nunnery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At the heart of the story is Daniel (Josh O’Connor), a cybersecurity whistleblower, and his girlfriend, Jane (Eve Hewson), a former novice in a nunnery. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 June 2026 But the black, confining nunnery space reminds a bit of some medieval dungeon. Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 4 June 2026 Nash points to everything from visits to a working nunnery in Greece to high-profile events like the Monaco Grand Prix. Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 4 June 2026 This former nunnery next to Palazzo Borghese and once part of a mansion owned by the family, has been turned into an 18-room hideaway, with a restoration that took three-and-a-half years. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nunnery

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nunnery was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nunnery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nunnery. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

nunnery

noun
nun·​nery ˈnən-(ə-)rē How to pronounce nunnery (audio)
plural nunneries
: a convent of nuns

More from Merriam-Webster on nunnery

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster