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 of abbey

• monastery
• cloister

Examples of abbey in a Sentence

the monks in the abbey grow all their own vegetables

Recent Examples on the Web

Take in the Gothic splendor of the abbey, where Prince William and Catherine Middleton were married, and where Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin are buried. —Susanne Fowler, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

Back in 1775, the grapes grown at the Schloss Johannisberg estate in Germany’s Rheingau region could not be picked until a permit was issued by the cleric leading the abbey, known as the Prince Abbot. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2025

Richardson was seen by a priest at the abbey on Aug. 26 sitting alone in a pew, Manley said. —City News Service, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 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

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